LIBRARY OF CONGRESS^ 



TST- 



^|l,ap..fr'.;^..|wigM|o. 
! ^/^// ...35 



t UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. | 



UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME: 

POEMS. 

BY ELIZABETH C. KINNEY. 

1 vol. pp. 226. $1.50. 



BIANCA CAPPELLO. 

A TRAGEDY. 



BIANOA OAPPELLO 



A TRAGEDY 



ELIZABETH C. KINNEY 




/■■: 




NEW YORK J 
PUBLISHED BY KURD AND HOUGHTON 

1873 



r^ 



.B<^ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 

HuRD AND Houghton, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE : 

STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY 

H. 0. HOCGHTON AND COMPANY. 



SOME OF THE HISTOEICAL AUTHORITIES 
FOR THE FACTS OF THE DRAMA. 



Napier's Florentine History. 

Florence et ses Vicissitudes. By Monsieur Del^cluse. 

X' Osservatore Fiorentino. 

Memorie di Bianca Cappello. By Stefano Ticozzi, etc., etc. 



PERSONS OF THE DRAMA. 



Francesco, Prince Regent, afterwards Grand Duhe of Florence^ 

and son of Cosimo de Medici. 
Ferdinando, Cardinal de Medici, brother of Francesco. 
Serguidi, minister, and confidant of the Prince Regent. 
Fra Fortunato, a monk, confidant of Ferdinando. 
Bartolomeo Cappello, a Venetian nobleman, and father of 

Bianca. 
Patriarch d'Aquilea, his brother. 
Roberto Ricci, a noble Florentine. 
Mandragoxi, maestro of the ducal jmlace. 
Buonavemturi, humble citizen of Florence. 
PiETRO, his son. 

Giovanni, servant of the Cardinal. 
Jeanne, Archduchess of Aiistria, wife of Francesco. 
Bianca Cappello, tvife of Pietro. 
Madame Mandkagoni, wife of the maestro. 
CosTANZA, icife of Buonaventuri, and mother of Pietro. 
Anne, Austrian maid of the Archduchess. 
Citizens, servants, etc. 

Scene: at Venice, Florence and its environs. 
Time : latter part of the sixteenth century. 




Scene I. 



Venice. 



Grand Canal by moonlight. Bartolomeo Cappello and Pa- 
triarch d'Aquilea issue hastily from a palace, conversing 
in an excited manner. 



aquilea. 
Peace ! peace, my lord ! This is a fruitless rage ; 
Husband thy forces for judicial acts. 



Talk not of peace — war only is the word ! 
Already civil war is in my heart — 
" Pride wrestles there with pride : that proud intent, 
To wed my only daughter with a prince, 
Hath driven her from me with a beggar's son. 
And thus the strife within which makes me mad. 



aquilea. 
What ! hast no thought of vengeance ? now, 

Heaven ! 
I thought our blood was nobler than the asp's, 
Which turns to pierce itself with that same sting 
Whose venom might have worked its own escape ! 
I am for vengeance ! not io^noble war : 



by 



12 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 

Bianca is my niece, and if thou, brother, 

Being thyself her sire, wilt nothing do. 

But sting thy soul to frenzy, then — leave me ! 

I need no aid save what these veins can give. 

Each purple drop is loyal to my will. 

Adieu ! who acts, but loses force in words. 

[^Going. 

CAPPELLO. 

\_Folloioing. 

Stay ! I will go with thee ; I see thy bile 

Flows more in keeping with thy blood, than mine. 

\_They enter together a gondola in waiting, and depart. 



Scene II.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 13 



Scene II. — Florence. 

Mean apartment in the house of Buonaventuri. Costanza 
engaged in arranging the room. 

COSTANZA. 

My wits must work to do the best I can, 
And at the best, this is no fitting place 
To lodge a high-born, gentle lady in. 
How could Pietro have forgot my words, 
That he who reaches hio-her than his heio^ht 
Loses all foothold, bringing to the ground. 
In his own fall, a lordly pride whose weight 
Must crush his humble fortunes underneath. 

Enter Buonaventuri. 

BUONAVENTURI. 

Ah, wife, and you are ready for them ! well. 
Put the best face on 't ; by this time, perchance, 
The strange young lady is as pale and sick 
Of her own will, as the green sailor grows 
Of sea-room, when the waves begin to swell. 

COSTANZA. 

Oh, yes ; and she 's but our poor daughter now ; 
So let us open to her parent-hearts. 



14 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 

The harbor of our love is small and mean ; 
But now, let loose from any other hold, 
Her heart may gladly cast its anchor here. 

BUONAVENTURI. 

Hark ! on the stair I hear approaching steps ; 
Haste, wife, adjust thy cap and brow, to suit 
An honest greeting, and a mother's smile. 

Enter Pietro and Bianca: the parents encounter and embrace 
them. 

BUONAVENTURI. 

\To BlANCA. 

As warm a welcome as warm hearts can give ! 
No worthier will our humble home afford, 
But, what it lacks in fitting ornament. 
Thy gentleness and beauty will supply. 

COSTANZA. 

[To BlANCA. 

Great honor dost thou to our meaner house 

To wed thee with Pietro ; but, fair dame, 

If he shall prove to thee a husband true, 

As unto us he ever was a son, 

Thou hast not stooped from thy high rank for naught. 

BIANCA. 

Thanks to ye, for the shelter and the love 
Proffered to me, a stranger, for his sake, 
To you as son, to me as husband dear ! 



Scene II.l BIANCA CAPPELLO. 15 

Heaven make me worthy of your honest hearts ; 
And may you find that you 've not lost a son, 
But gained a daugliter in my father's loss. 

[ Weeps ; Costanza embraces her. 



\To Ids parents. 
And you shall prize in her no common gain ; 
Believe me, honored parents, if I dared 
To reach above me, 'gainst your staid advice, 
'Twas for a jewel worthy any risk. 



[To PiETRO, assuming a gay smile. 
Your jewel will be brighter in the sun ; 
Too dull it looks now to confirm that boast. 

[To COSTANZA. 

With your kind leave I will at once retire : 
Sleej) should be sweet again beneath the roof 
Where broods parental love with careful wing. 

BUONAVENTUKI. 

[Taking Bianca by the hand. 
First go with us and join our frugal board ; 
Dreams are but nourishment for empty heads, — 
The empty stomach needs more solid food. 

[Exeunt. 



16 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 



Scene III. — The Same. 

A small chamber, the bed hidden by a curtain : enter Costanza, 
with a light in her hand, /olio wed by Bianca. 

COSTANZA. 

It is a simple chamber, but thine own : 

Make thee at home then here as best thou canst 



All must be well that thoughtful love prepares ; 
Thanks for thy kindness, and to thee good night ! 

COSTANZA. 

[Putting down the light, and approaching to aid her. 
First, let me help thee, or thou 'It miss thy nurse ; 
I never had a daughter, but, methinks, 
A woman cannot be too old to learn 
The nicer cares which suit not lusty boys, 
And care makes up the sum of mother's bliss. 



For lack of girls then, thou of me must learn 
That 't is the daughter should the mother aid ; 
And this rough journey hath so seasoned me, 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 17 

That I shall never shrink to useless stuff, 

But serve thee in some manner — not thou me : 

So now, good mother, fare thee well till morn. 

[Kissing her. 

COSTANZA. 

[ Going. 
And gentle be thy dreamings, as thy ways ! 
Good night — God bless thee ! 

BIANCA. 

Ay, and thee, kind heart ! 

[Exit CoSTANZA. 

Would that I were as worthy to be blest ! 

[LooJcs about her. 
But whither have I come — is this my home ? 
Where are the dear familiar things, but late 
Unheeded for their very commonness ? 
Those every-day-used, unfelt luxuries ? 
Oh ! each, the smallest, here would grow in size 
To something that midit break the starinoj void ; 
Had I but my j^oor nurse beside me now, 
Methinks this desert want would wear a smile, — 
No place is sterile where lives sympathy ; 
But, like a snake, I slid from her embrace, 
Leaving my fault to sting her innocence. 

[Listens. 
Hark, 't is Pietro's step ! I must to bed. 

[Disappears behind the curtain. 



18 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I 



Scene IV. — The Same. 

Morning. Mean apartment as in Scene II. Bianca alone^ re- 
(jarding herself in a small mirror. 



Well, I slept soundly as a wearied child; 
Pietro's jewel looks in sooth more bright 
In this clear sun, than dimmed, as late, by tears. 

Enter Pietro loitli oj)en letters in Jiis hand. 

PIETRO. 

My own Bianca ! here 's sad news for us — 
But, turn not pale — Oh, I am all too rash ! 



[^Rising excitedly. 
Eegard not me — come, quick, discharge thy load ! 
Suspense is a dull saw, that tortures slowly ; 
Harsh truth, at worst, the sharpened axe's blade, 
Which does its execution at a blow. 

PIETRO. 

Well, if thou wilt the worst — these letters say 
That thy stern uncle hath imprisoned mine, 
In our default ; and that thy father's rage 
Is by the patriarch so goaded on, 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 19 

That it will end in our divorce — by Death ! 

Their emissaries now are on our track, 

And these are sworn — the oath made sure by gold — 

To bring their swords back reeking in my blood ; 

But I have told thee not to blanch thy cheeks ; 

I would consult thee of a plan proposed, 

Which may secure us strength to match our need. 



And what think'st thou our simple wits could work, 
Against such force by haughty vengeance armed ? 
Oh ! if they touch a hair of thy dear head. 
The daughter's blood shall pay the father's wrath. 

PIETRO. 

But it shall never have so dear a price : 

I am advised to ask the Prince's aid. 

Already knows he of our misadventures, 

And predisposed is now to succor us. 

'T is known that Cosimo, weary of state rule, 

Hath given his son the governmental reins. 

Serguidi is Francesco's minister, 

And friendly to my other kinsman, too, 

(The monk who entertained us by the way,) 

And knows through him my uncle's unjust fate ; 

Unto Serguidi then I will betake me, 

And he shall plead our cause before the Prince, 

Who is himself of such a kindly nature 

That, sure am I, he '11 not deny the suit : 

So in the end we may defeat ill-luck. 



20 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 

BIANCA. 

Yes, go ; and promptness will secure prompt aid ; 
Something premonishes my heart, as thine, 
That we shall yet j^revail o'er these proud foes ; 
The smallest chance of such a victory 
Is worth the laroest effort. 



Then adieu ! 
Let hope call back the sunshine to thy brow. 
I see its dawn now in that rosy tint. 
And thus salute joy's fair returning day. 

[Kisses her forehead and departs. 

BIANCA. [Alone. 

Love, thou art sweet ! yet there 's a sweeter joy, 
Methinks, in conquering imperious foes : 
Oh ! I could almost sell the wealth I own 
In that true heart, for which all else I sold, 
To drink the satisfying cup of triumph, 
Filled to the brim, before my enemies ! 
Yet, I know goodness is the strongest arm 
"With which to shame them, or to conquer them. 

[Pauses a moment. 
I should content me with this lowly lot, 
Punish with my own happiness my foes ; 
Or, through majestic pardon awe them down. 
I will go seek the honest pair ; with them 
My heart grew meek, my nature softer seemed : 
Evil comes nearest when we are alone. [Exit. 



Scene v.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 21 



Scene Y. — The Same. 

Cabinet in the royal palace. Enter tlie Prince Regent and 
Serguidi. 



[Sitting down. 
Now tell me what is truth in this romance ; 
Give me a history of simple facts : 
For, to believe these many-tongued reports, 
"Would be one day to bless propitious Luck 
For having brought a human angel here ; 
Another day to curse perfidious Fate 
For a sly devil in an angel's form. 

serguidi. 
Your Highness now shall have th' ungarnished tale, 
"With the true portrait of the heroine : 
Bianca is of that right noble blood 
Cappello — house of proud Venetian boast ! 
Her mother, of no less illustrious stock. 
Yielded life up in giving life to her ; 

And in her tender years, her father took ^"T^ 

A stately wife whose heart matched not her size, — 
Having but room to take her own child in, v,^ 

And not a whit of love to spare from him 'j^ i- 



22 BIAXCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 

For wasting on the offspring of another ; 
Nay, did forbid his larger, richer heart, 
To coin for her a sister's precious namei. 
In brief, the sum of her maternal care 
Was seeking, j^iously, a mother true 
For the fair orj^han in the nursing Church. 

PRINCE. 

Not the first time the Church a pretext was, 
To serve a selfish end. 

SERGUIDI. 

A woman's art — 
True handmaid to her will — is seldom foiled ; 
The fether, in the husband's yoke subdued. 
Yielded consent, and gave his daughter up. 
Meantime, as luck would have it, good or ill, 
Bianca's eyes encountered other eyes, 
And in that meeting of live passion's sparks 
A fire was kindled reason might not quench ; 
Love burnt out pride ; and then stored all its wealth 
In this bold Florentine, by chance at Venice, 
Who matched her only in his daring flame. 

PRINCE. 

The same old tale, new told ! 

SERGUIDI. 

They met by stealth : 
Now at, then going to, the holy mass ; 



ScexeV.] biaxca cappello. 23 

And last at midnight, throngh false keys supplied 
By love's necessity inventive grown — 
To them the golden keys of Paradise. 
But, as of old, the serpenj; lurked near by, 
And so it fell their Paradise was lost. 

PRINCE. 

The girl 's a heroine ! 

I SERGUIDI. 

She knew her chance — 
( Her only chance of love — would soon be bound 
\ By the stern convent's walls, and fain would taste 
j One draught of sweet, before her lips were sealed 
Against warm kisses by cold vestal vows. 
But, so it happened, an old prince of wealth 
Asked for her hand, and in that asking spoiled 
The father's good intent to wed his child 
To Christ, and gain for her Heaven's heritage. 

PKIXCE. 

Ah, gold and titles often buy the sum 
Of good intentions ! 

SERGUIDI. 

So, the haughty sire — 
In pride o'ergrown before 't was ripe — would give 
A foretaste of ambition's fruit to her. 
She found it sour, the golden apple spurned, 



24 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act L 

And, proving sweeter love's forbidden fruit, 
Resolved to venture everything for this ; 
So, with a stranger fled in darkest night, 
Without acquainting even her trusty nurse. 

PRINCE. 

If equal be her beauty to her courage, 
Too rich such prize for a plebeian's hand ! 

SERGUIDI. 

Through perils on the land and on the sea, 
They hither came, and now, in wedlock joined, 
Are meanly lodged beneath the humble roof 
Of the youth's father, honest Buon'venturi. 

PRINCE. 

But wherefore, and in what, ask they our aid ? 

SERGUIDI. 

The sequel of my tale is yet to tell : 
All Venice was in uproar at their flight ; 
But love, that sharpens even the dullest wit, 
Evaded every search ; while anger, foiled. 
Vented its spleen upon the innocent. 
Among its other wrongs, it hath imjDrisoned 
Pietro's uncle, in his nephew's stead. 
Swearing to take no other bail for him 
Than the girl's presence,* or her husband's life — 
Threatened each moment. Prince, with violence. 



Scene v.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 25 

The facts are these : your Highness now will say 
What shall be done. 

PRINCE. 

Yes ; but not all is told : 
Thou, in the story, hast forgot to give 
The heroine's portrait. 

SERGUIDI. 

Hard were this to give : 
'T were better that your Highness saw the face, 
Than that I painted it. 

PRINCE. 

Then she 's not fair : 
For beauty gives man's tongue such vivid hues, 
That, as it speaks, upon the listener's mind 
Is painted every grace. 

SERGUIDI. 

And beauty too. 
Of certain force, strikes dumb ; and such is hers : 
If I should say she was so short, so tall. 
Had such and such decided traits, and such 
Known graces as pronounce all others fair, 
I should be just as far from painting her 
As reason would be from portraying love. 
Love ne'er was known except when it was felt ; 
Nor beauty of such kind e'er painted, save 
By its own self upon the heart. 



26 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [ActL 

PRINCE. 

Enough ! 
To-morrow bid Bianca and her spouse 
To private audience here. 

[Ridng. 

SERGUIDI. 

It shall be done. 

{Exit Prince. 
The bait has taken ; now my end is sure : 
His princely appetite, thus keenly whetted, 
Will do the rest. man ! thy boasted force, 
Backed even by the puissance of a throne, 
Is weaker than weak woman's weakest charm. 
When armed to conquer by her sovereign will. 

{Exit, 



Scene VI.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 27 



Scene VI. — The Same. 

A lonehj street, in sight of a church. Enter rapidly CosTANZA 
and BiANCA, on their ivay to vespers. 

COSTANZA. 

Stop here a moment, child, and take new breath ; 
The church is close at hand, and we are safe 
Now in its sacred shadow ; rest thy fears. 
'T is right we go to prayer, for I believe 
That prayers of honest wives and mothers have 
A private entrance to the throne of Heaven, 
AVhich for their special wants stands ever open. 

[The bell sounds. 

BIANCA. 

Hark, there's the bell ! come, mother, let us on : 

I tremble, and yet know not why, to pause. 

As some poor hare with hounds upon her track. 

COSTANZA. 

[Leading her on. 
Keep closer to me, then, and we *11 proceed ; 
But slower, child, there is no need of haste. 

[Noise behind arrests their steps. Enter armed Brigands 
dragging Pieteo, while Buonaventuri /o^/ows, expos- 
iulating with them. 



28 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 

1st brigand. 
Stand back, old man ! 

BUONAVENTURI. 

Let go my son, my son ! 

BIANCA. 

[Running to her Imsband. 

Oh, it is he ! 

[To 1st Bkigand. 
It is my husband, man. 
Release him from these ruffians ! 

COSTANZA. 

Mercy, pray ! 

1st brigand. 

Peace, women ! he 's our prisoner, and must go. 

[BiANCA dings to Pietro. 1st Brigand tries to force her 

away, 

BIANCA. 

Unhand me, brigand ! 

[To BUONAVENTURI. 

Go thou, call for help ! 
[A Brigand seizes Buonaventuri, who is going. 

1st brigand. 
Out on ye all ! Revenge must have its way : 
We come from Venice, and must take this rogue, 

[Pointing to Pietro. 
Dead or alive, back there. 



ScekeVI.] bfanca cappello. 29 

PIETRO. 

[To BlANCA. 

'T is vain, love, vain — 
Take off thy dear hands — we must part ; adieu ! 

BIANCA. 

Never ! where'er they take thee, I will go ; 

Howe'er they serve thee, I will share thy fate. 

[1st Brigand goes to force her away, when the Prince 
Regent enters icith Serguidi, Guards following them. 

SERGUIDI. 

{To the Prince. 
Heavens, 't is Bianca ! 

PRINCE. 

Hold, assassins ! hold ! 

[To his Guards. 
Secure these murderers, and lead them off! 

[Guards seize the ruffians, 

1st brigand. 
In this lone hour and street our prey seemed sure ; 
\Ye 've lost it, our reward, and freedom too. 

[Exeunt Guards with Brigands. 

BIANCA. 

• [Throwing herself at the PRiNCE's/ee*. 
Prince ! as mercy's angel have you come : 
Heaven bless your Highness ! 



30 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act I. 

PRINCE. 

{^Raisiny her up. 

Yes ; in blessing tliee ! 

PIETRO. 

\_Kneel'mg. 
The life my Prince lias saved, lie lience will use : 
This heart was ever lojal, but now owes 
Its blood, were each drojJ doubled, to its sovereign. 



We shall accept thy services, and find 
Some post of safety for thee ; fear thou not ! 

BUONAVENTURI. 

\_Approaching loith his wife, and inclining. 
Gray hairs can only render thanks in blessings : 
Saving our son, Prince, you prolong our days, 
And while they last, each one anew shall bless you. 



A prince's subjects all are sons to him : 

Go ye in peace ! — hence I will guard my own, 

And thus protect one dearer still to you. 

[To BiANCA, sjicahing low. 

To aid your cause, I needs must learn your tale. 
And those lips best will tell it : come to-morrow, 
At midday, with Pietro, to the palace : 
Till then, adieu ! your foes are in safe keeping. 



Scene VI.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 31 

COSTANZA. 

[TuMng Bianca's hand and sjjeaklng to her husband and son. 

Come you to church now, with us, and give tlianks. 
\_Exeunt, bowing reverently to the Pkince. 

PKINCE. 

[Lookmg after them. 

Is that a creature of this lower sphere ? 

The first-born smile of Heaven was not more fair ! 

How her voice, love-toned as soft summer airs, 

Played magic on this heart's ecstatic strings ! 

And she seemed shapen by its harmony — 

Herself as music's very soul embodied. 

So I became all eyes, all ears at once. 

{Various persons cross the stage slowly^ regarding the 

Prince. 

serguidi. 
The street, Prince, will become all eyes, all ears, 
If we still tarry here. 



PRIXCE. 

Yes — to the palace. 



\Exeunt. 




ACT n. 




Scene I. — The Same, 

Audience-chamber in the palace. The Prince Regent seated, 
Sekguidi standing by him. Enter an Usher. 

PKINCE. 

Conduct tliem hither without further form. 

Usher leads in Bianca and Pietro, and retires. Fran- 
cesco rises and takes Bianca's hand to seat her by his 
side, but she courtesies and continues standing, while he 
reseats himself. 

[To Bianca. 

Proceed to tell thy tale ; have no reserve. 



BIANCA. 

'T is Ion Of to suffer, but 't is brief to tell : 
Your Highness knows I am the only daughter 
Of a patrician, senator of Venice. 
Grief's winter hath invaded my life's spring, 
Hath nipped the budding joys of infancy, 
Robbed of its sunshine a fond mother's smile. 
My noble fxther loved me, but his love 
Was more in praises than caresses shown ; 
Kor could his lofty wife e'er stoop so low 
As to dry childhood's simple tears from one 
Who needs must weep that she was motherless. 



36 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

The first to love me was my tender nurse, 
Whose absence I had ne'er to mourn till now ; 
But she, to soften more my rigid lot. 
Trained me with such an over-fond indulgence, 
That my heart grew but sicklier for her care, 
Craving some aliment, 'twixt bitter scorn 
And sweetest fondness, which my father's heart, 
So proudly kind, could never quite supply. 
When I met him who is my husband now, 
That twin-born sympathy awoke to life 
Which feeds the heart, while on the heart it feeds ; 
v So strong I grew on this true nourishment. 

That, having feasted, I could hence have lived 
Upon its memory in a convent's cell ; 
But, when my father bade me wed another, 
Repugnance pushed with force against his will, 
While love's indissoluble cords still drew 
My fortunes with my heart to its true lord. 
Pardon ! your Highness knows the rest. 

PKINCE. 

Say on ! 

To pour thy heart will lighten it, at least. 



Such bounty. Prince, as deigns to listen thus. 
Needs not the urging of weak words : yet these 
Would fain the guard of royal favor ask. 
To invest the life in which my own is bound. 



Scene I.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 37 

\Throics herself weeping lefore the Pkince; Pietro Tcneds 

behind her. 

Oh, succor him who is my all on earth ! 



[Raising her up. 
Rise ; weep no more ! Your dangers now are past. 

[P«^s a ring on her Jinger. 
Tliis be the seal of our protection hence. 
We have sent back to Venice, under guard. 
The bold invaders of your peace and lives ; 
With such remonstrance as will hence secure 
Your persons and your rights from violence. 
Dwell then at ease in mind, and look for change 
That shall procure you ease of circumstance. 
Adieu, until ye hear from us again. 

[Exeunt Bianca and Pietko joyfullij^ accompanied by 

Serguidi. 

Did I e'er look on beauty — ever feel 

What woman's charm was, till I saw that fice ? 

Serguidi 's right ; no tongue could fitly paint her. 

Unless it were the tongue of Love itself; 

No pencil, save it stole ethereal colors. 

Her spiritual charm — 't is like the sky. 

That, while the painter dips his brush to catch it, 

Changes its phase, and looks him to despair. 

Reenter Serguidi. 
How now, Serguidi, has she gone ? what said she ? 
How looked she ? did she smile on going hence ? 



38 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IL 

If so, haste, tell it ! ere I strike tliee dumb 
For having seen a smile which I saw not : 
Come ! why so slow of speech ? 



Your pardon, Prince I 
I had no place to put a word till now ; 
She has gone hence, and I Ve brought back her smiles, 
To grace the thanks she bade me here to lay, 
Beside her husband's, at her Prince's feet. 

PRINCE. 

Name not her base-born spouse in naming her ! 



Your Highness sees now what I could not paint. 
Perchance the fault was in too coarse a tongue ; 
Yet royal lips may have the finer touch 
Befitting royal beauty, and can paint her. 



She is not to be painted, trait by trait, 
As one paints easily mere dainty flesh. 

SERGUIDI. 

Then hers are something more than mortal charms ? 

PRIN9E. 
Out on thy bantering ! had I now my throne, 



Scene!.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 39 

The Church, which hath ignobly bound her once, 
Should, through its Head, release her from this bond, 
And she whom beauty .crowns should share that 

throne ; 
But thus we cannot use a father's crown. 
By what means, then, to win her ? 

SEEGUIDI. 

Regal means, 
Have stronger proved than legal, before now ; 
What princes have done, princes may do still. 
The meanest love, it seems, hath royal might. 
And love born royal should have power no less. 

PRINCE. 

The chance is worth the trial — we shall try ; 
Thou hast a ready faculty to see, 
And wit to serve it. 

SEEGUIDI. 

From your Highness' wish 
Cometh the wit, as doth the will to serve ; 
I now bethink me — 

PEINCE. 

Speak ! what wouldst thou say ? 

SEEGUIDI. 

That Mandragoni's wife should first be gained ; 
And leave a woman, then, to spy out for us 



40 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

The jDromised land, if Love would have possession ; 
Meantime the i^rice — 



What befits love. 



PKINCE. 

No price^ save love, will buy 



But, what 's sold for love 
Must first re-purchased be with baser coin, 
Ere it can sell itself for love again ; 
So, while the wiles of the maestro' s wife 
Work with Bianca, buy her through her spouse ; 
Mj wits for 't ! his is vanity so light 
That, once blown up, 't will give to air his love ; 
While gold will build him castles in the air, 
And stars of honor dazzle him to blindness. 



You 're right, Serguidi ; gain him, and we '11 blind 

him ! 
But, of Bianca ? 

SERGUIDI. 

There 's no fear of her : 
Women love strongest where ambition draws. 
Your Highness thinks it but a paradox. 
Yet Love 's the greatest of all egotists, 
And he loves most, who most his own self loves j 
Sometimes 't is bliss of loving that Love lovesy 



Scene I.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 41 

And for the joy of being loved again. 

Self-sacrificing love is but a name 

For friendship superfine, and does in truth, 

Self-sacrificing, sacrifice to self, 

To gain the soul's applause and praise of Heaven. 



PKINCE. 

And in what better is the courtier's love ? 



In naught, your Highness ; though he who loves self^ 
Best loves and serves his sovereign. 



Sophistry ! 
Thou hast the head, Serguidi, for our plans : 
Serve best thyself, then, in best serving them. 



[Exit, 



SERGUIDI. 

Ay, that I will ! and grow so in his need. 
That all the odds between us his crown makes 
Shall be, that he will wear it, and I use it. 



[Exit, 



42 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 



Scene II. — The Same. 

A gallery in the palace. Fkancesco seen walking thoughtfully 
him, the 

PRINCE. 

I said that none could paint her, trait by trait ; 
Yet every charm seems of itself the |iainter, 
And on my heart has left its special image ! 

[Cardinal comes forward ; Prince starts on seeing him. 
Well, brother ? 

CARDINAL. 

You 're preoccupied I see. 
Raving as wont, of some new beauty. Prince ? 

PRINCE. 

Ha ! did thought speak so loud ? 

CARDINAL. 

I heard alone ; 
'T was lucky — others might perchance have heard ; 
Be cautious when you thus love's secrets tell. 

PRINCE. 

What said I, then ? 



Scene II.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 43 

CARDINAL. 

What I cared not to hear ; 
Something, I think, which nearer touches you 
Than your betrothal. 

PRINCE. 

[^Frowning. 
Brother, change your theme ; 
All other subjects now would better please. 

CARDINAL. 

And one, it seems, above all others ; Prince, 
"Would you repeat what I just heard you say ? 

PRINCE. 

First tell me what that was. 

CARDINAL, 

What could it be, 
Save woman's charms — best theme for reverie I 
Some new divinity your heart enshrines, 
And hides her image from the envious day. 

PRINCE. 

At least you can divine — 

CARDINAL. 

What words declare ! • 

PRINCE. 

Wellj you shall share the secret of my thoughts. 



44 BIANCA CAPFELLO. [Act U. 

I 've seen a woman in whose single face 
All heavenly and all human charms unite. 

CARDINAL. 

And you said every charm itself did paint 
Upon your heart ; pray draw the veil aside ; 
Let me at least behold that portrait, Prince. 



It lies too deep even for a brother's eye ; 
And words would fail to paint it yet again. 

CARDINAL. 

Let me put questions that will language teach 
To shape those charms, and color them aright ; 
That which crowns all, the hair, it first should paint ; 
What texture this, — what color, black or fair ? 



Ask the sun that, whose beams nest in its curls ! ^ 
Her hair 's a wealth — it is " the golden fleece " — 
A living brightness, shooting up such rays 
As form an aureola round her head. 

CARDINAL. 

Then 't is a crown itself — she '11 not need yours ; 
And has she eyes to match it ? what of these ? 

1 The portraits of Bianca Cappello represent her style of beauty 
as more classical than Italian. 



Scene II.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 45 

PRINCE. 

Her eyes — I seem still looking in their depths ! — 

Ai-e crystal wells, full ever to the brim, 

That deepen thrice heaven's blue which they reflect ; 

To gaze in them, is each time to discern 

Some star that never dazzled sight before. 

CARDINAL. 

I see that you have turned star-gazer. Prince, 
And so, perchance, no eyes had for her skin. 

PRINCE. 

Her skin ? 't is like a pure white rose's leaf, 
Mirroring by wax-light the j^ink one above it ; 
Her temjDles, the transparence of her neck, 
Mother of pearl, with turquoise veins inlaid. 

CARDINAL. 

Faith, you 're in love — you talk in poesy ! 
Has she a human form, and features such 
As suit a mortal's taste ? 



If he be king : 
For Nature made a queenly soul the model 
When, moulding into life such form and traits, 
She curved her nostrils for the air of courts ; 
Pouted her proud lips for a royal kiss ; 
Between them strung the rarest pearls, for crowns ; 



46 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

And on her ivory shoulders set that neck 
To grace, not be graced by, imperial gems. 
Her hands were tajjered to wear signet rings ; 
Her foot is light enough to tread on ermine. 

CARDINAL. 

[ With displeasure. 
You talk in earnest, brother ; with your leave, 
I will retire ; Love needs no audience. 

[Francesco hows assent ; exit Cardinal. 

PRINCE. 

[Alone. 
What is a crown worth, if it may not win 
That which alone can crown our sovereign wish ? 
Shall monarchs reign to envy beggars' bliss, 
Or, to possess it, through their royal right ? 
Could I by conquest gain earth's kingdoms all, 
I should be powerless if I gained not her 
Who hath already conquered me — who shall 
In turn be conquered, if Love prove a god. 

[Exit. 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 47 



• Scene III. — The Same. 

Chamber in Buonaventuki's liotise. Bianca leaning thought- 
fully on her hand; while Pietro walks up and down the room 
with an air of gayety. 



[^Stopping suddenly "before Ms wife. 
What now, Bianca ? as our fortunes clear, 
Thou growest duller ; not a right glad smile 
I Ve seen these three days — since we saw the Prince. 



But thy face brightens up with fortune's smile, 
So, what my own of pleasure's sunshine lacks, 
Thine can supply, for thou wast ne'er so gay. 



And why keep brooding o'er a hapless past, 
Or thankless present, when a glowing future 
Laughs at them both, and beckons gayly on ? 

BIANCA. 

[Rising and approaching him lovingly. 
Ah, dearest ! if our life's background be dark. 
The heaven of love such brightness on it sheds, 



48 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IL 

That, from the present viewed, it seems all fair ; 
Those stolen kisses, snatched from midnight's heart, 
Were sweeter to us than the breath of morn, 
And turned the darkness ever into day. 

PIETKO. 

'T was but a taste, then, while the future menaced 
To rob us even of that ; now we may take 
Our fill of love, with promise in advance 
To sweeten it. 

BIANCA. 

[Laying her hand gently on him. 
And art thou sure of that ? 
But what if with increase of fortune love 
Decreases, will it richer fortune prove ? 



Why ask such questions ? does thy heart get cold, 
As Fortune's warmer grows ? 

BIANCA. 

And know'st thou not 
That love, — which, destitute, could from itself 
Create its warmth and food, and weave its bower, 
As weaves her home the spider from within, — 
When by capricious fortune once supplied 
From outer life with cheating luxury. 
Draws less and less from its warm inner source, 
Till that itself dries up ? 



L^ 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 49 

PIETRO. 

A living source, 
Dearest Bianca, is our pure, young love — 
It cannot dry ! 

BIANCA. 

Oh no, it never can ! 
To me 't would make an arid desert green ; 
Already hath it made this desert-home 
All redolent of flowers — 

PIETRO. 

Say of one flower ! 
For all its sweetness is thy fond heart's breath, 
And all its brightness what thy beauty gives. 

[Kisses her. 

BIANCA. 

Oh, keep for thine own bosom then thy flower ! 

Be it a decoration, richer far 

Than any gilded badge a crown could give. 

PIETKO. 

Stars would be well enough to wear outside ; 
But, fear not ! I will keep my rose within. 

BIANCA. 

Nor sell it to a prince for gewgaws, love ? 

PIETKO. 

Sell it! what talk you of, Bianca, pray ! 



50 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

Enter Costanza, followed by Mandragoni; Bianca sfaris hack 
disconcertedly. 

MANDEAGONI. 

A thousand pardons, Madam ! but I come 
At my wife's bidding ; she the honor craves 
Of your acquaintance, and has sent me here 
To be your escort whither she awaits 
Your gentle presence. 



Pray excuse me, sir ! 
You and your lady too much honor do 
To our mean house and meaner company ; 
Another day, in more befitting garb, 
I may accept your bounty. 

MANDEAGONI. 

Lady fair ! 
Beauty like yours is always well appareled. • 

COSTANZA. 

[Speaking in Bianca's ear. 
I fear some wile, my daughter ; shun the snare. 

BIANCA. 

[To Maot)ragoni. 
So late an hour befits not visits, sir ; 
To-morrow, if your lady will permit, 
My husband shall conduct me. 



Scene m.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 51 

MANDRAGONI. 

Nay, to-night 
He '11 do the same, and mine shall be the post 
Of escort to you both. 

PIETKO. 

[Exchanging looks with his wife. 
Too mean a post 
For one whose place of honor is so high ; 
But we such bounty can no more refuse. 

[Exeunt Pietko and Bianca with Mandragoni. 

COSTANZA 

[Alone. 
Alack ! the bird obeys the fowler's snare ; 
Mother of God ! keep her from being caught, 
And our Pietro from a glittering shame ! 

[Exit. 



52 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [ActH. 



Scene IV. — The Same. 

Saloon in the part of the royal palace occupied by the Maestro, 
Madame Mandragoni and Serguidi seated together in con- 
versation. 

SERGUIDI. 

Sweeten thy bait well ! thou as woman knowest 

That every woman has her sweet tooth ; some, 

On honeyed compliments to beauty feed ; 

Some, on the extract, twice-refined, of praise 

To higher qualities of mind or heart ; 

And some, on sweetest incense paid to them, 

As to the sovereign holder of all charms. 

But there are women who love, most of all, 

The sweetness of obedience to their will ; 

To such, praise is ephemeral as light wine, 

Exciting only for the passing moment ; 

Strong drink they need, which self-content can 

sweeten 
To their taste better. 

MADAME MANDRAGONI. 

Shame, my lord ! you talk 
As if the inner characters of women 
Were printed, like the letters in a book, 
And you had read them all. 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 53 

SEKGUIDI. 

No — not in books j 
But I am something learned in women's eyes, 
And have the key to certain signs of theirs, 
Not easy to decipher. 

MADAME MANDRAGONI. 

You began 
To talk of women, as if we were fish, 
And you the dextrous angler who best knew 
The way to catch us : so then, I am one, 
And you are fishing ! 

SEKGUIDI. 

Pardon ! when I speak 
Of women there's one woman I except ; 
The proof that you are not among the fish, 
Is that I make you angler 'mongst the men. 

\Adde, 
(How like a fish she catches at this bait !) 

[Aloud, and talcing her Jiand'. 
And who would not be caught by such an angler ? 

Enter Mandragoni with Pietro and Bianca: exit Serguidi by 
another door, unseen by them. 



J MANDRAGONI. 

[To his wife. 
Madam, this gentle lady meets your call. 
And with her comes a happy husband too. 



54 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

MADAME MANDRAGONI. 

More welcomes, lady, than mere words can give, 
And with them thanks for such prompt complai- 
sance. 

[ To PlETRO. 

Your presence, sir, but doubles our content. 

BIANCA. 

Not our mean costumes, nor ourselves, deserve 
Such kind reception. Madam, — thanks are all 
My presence here can bring, and these, if prized 
By my own value, are too poor to pay. 

MADAME MANDRAGONI. 

Too rich, if thanks take worth from lips that speak, 
And from the heart that yields them ; nothing poor 

Can come out of such lips." 

[Leads her to a seat. 

MANDRAGONI. 

\To PlETRO. 

Wilt favor me 
With thy good company a moment, friend ? 
Ladies, anon we shall return again. 

\^Exeunt Mandragoni and Pietro. 

MADAME MANDRAGONI. 

[Seating herself by BiANCA. 
Our generous prince, sweet lady, takes thy cause 
As much to heart as if it were the state's ; 
And well he may ; for who could look on thee, 



Scene IV.] 



BIAXCA CAPPELLO. 55 



And not be touched that evil fortune touches 
So at the root of beauty ? 

BIANCA. 

Beauty, Madam, 
A frail plant is at best, and soon uprooted 
If its root strikes no deeper than the skin. 

MADAME MAXDRAGOXI. 

The blossom's form bespeaks the plant's true worth ; 
Kere beauty is deep-rooted in the heart : 
The Prince knows this — sees all misfortune crushes, 
Aid would uplift it. 

BIANCA. A^ 

By his Highness' grace, 
I hope to lift myself up from the dust, 
Ano teach such as would crush me that true power 
Is not in the inflicting of misfortune, 
But In the conquering of it. 

MADAME MANDKAGONI. 

Conquer, then ! 
Enter a Servant. 

SERVANT. 

Madam, the Prince comes this way. 

BIANCA. ^ , 

[Rising, emoarrassea. 
Let me go, 
I pray you, kindest lady -- I will wait 



c 



56 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

Here in the antechamber, till the Prince 

Retires again. 

\^Exit Servant. 

MADAMK MANDEAGONI. 

[Shoioing her Francesco, who enters. 
If the Prince gives thee leave. 

[Exit Madame Mandkagoni. 

PRINCE. 

Stay, sweet Bianca ! dost thou fly from us — 
So terrible are we ? 

bianca. 

{^Falling on her Jcnees before Mf 
Your pardon, Prince ! 
It is such bounty that confounds me quite — 
Heaven's blessing be my thanks ! 

PRINCE. 

[Lifting hef up. 
Pray on so, then ! 
For if that voice pierce half so deep the heavens 
As it hath pierced my heart, all good will come 
In answer to its call. 

BIANCA. 

[ Withdrawing herself from Mm. 
Stoop not so low 
As to lift up so poor a weight as mine — 
The sum of all whose value is its virtue : 
For think not, Prince, that virtue I forsook, 
Forsaking childhood's home. 



ScEXElV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 57 

PRINCE. 

Fie, fie, Bianca ! 
'T is for thy virtue, more tlian other charms, 
That thus I prize thee. 

BIANCA. 

Oh, then, spare it. Prince ! 



Ay, and uplift it ; giving beauty, too, 
A fitter setting, where it will outshine 
The jeweled favorites of emperors. 

BIANCA. 

I pray your Highness, let me now retire ; 

It is not meet that I should longer hear 

Such lofty praises. I, the simj^le wife 

Of your mean subject, all whose wealth on earth 

Is my poor love. 

PRINCE. 

{^Retaining her hand. 
He 's richer than his prince — 
I would change places with him, for that love ! 
But so the measure of it overfills 
His largest, best capacity to hold, 
That he '11 lose nothing if my empty heart 
Catches the sweetness that o'erruns from his : 
Thus much I '11 take, whether thou wilt, or no. 



58 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

BIANCA. 

All lawful love which this heart can bestow, 
My Prince's right .is, and my joy to give : 
Permit me to take leave. 

ICourtesying, star'ts to go. 



Stay — I '11 take mine : 
But first, I have to whisper in thine ear 
That soon thou 'It change thy home. 



Nay, generous Prince ! 
Pietro's humble home now suits me well ; 
Love makes a palace of it. 



Yes ; thy love 
Would turn a prison to a palace : mine 
Shall give that palace substance and a form. 
First, I must school a too rebellious will, 
) To pay the penal tax of royalty, 
j And wed a princess with a loveless vow — 
/ The heart meanwhile unwedded : till then, silence, 
I And love's adieu to thee ! 

[Going, 

BIANCA. 

Adieu, kind Prince ! 
May all work well for you, and that high lady. 
Whose royal love shall bless your throne with heirs! 



( 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAFPELLO. 59 

PRINCE. 



going. 

Ah, royal love will never bless my heart : 

Marriage may heirs bring — choice brings happiness. 

[Looking back. 

Good night, Bianca ! 

BIANCA. 

Heaven preserve my Prince ! 

[Exit Prince. 
So I, with power to gain a monarch's heart, 
Have sold my birthright for a beggar's love ! 
Ah ! 't is in vain to clip the eagle's wings ; 
For, while dispirited he stoops to mate 
"With farm-bred fowls below his native sphere, 
His wings new-grown, from innate loftiness, 
Will be repliimed again erelong to soar. 
I feel the stirrings of a tameless soul ; 
Greatness inborn asserts prerogative. 
But hush, proud nature ! be henceforth self-tamed ; 
Domesticate thee to a mean existence. 
And having stooped too low to bear day's eye, 
Fly to no splendor lesser than the sun's ! 

Reenter Madame Mandragoni. 

BIADAME MANDRAGONI. 

Forgive my rudeness, lady, since I left 
Thee in good company. 



60 BIANCA CAPPELLO. fAcT n. 

BIANCA. 

The hour is late, 
And if it please you, Madam, I '11 retire. 

MADAME MAXDKAGONI. 

As pleases thee. 

BIANCA. 

Such goodness quite confounds me. 
Reenter Mandragoni and Pietko. 

MADAME MANDEAGONI. 

[To her husband. 
Wilt reconduct this gentle lady home ? 

[ To BlANCA. 

I would be often honored by such visits : 
Forget not that my all is at your service, 
And I your servant. 

BIANCA. 

I do blush for shame, 
To be recipient of so much bounty. 
Madam, I am so choked with obligation, 
That thanks have no more place for utterance. 

PIETEO. 

And I am such a debtor to the Prince, — 
As unto you, the medium of his favor, — 
That gratitude is bankrupt ; so, adieu ! 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 61 

[To his wife, going. 

Look, here is gold ! 

[Shows her a purse. 

I am first gentleman 
Hence of the Prince's chamber. 

BIANCA. 

[Aside. 
^ Is he blind ? 

[Exeunt. 

MADAME MANDKAGONI. 

A good beginning of an evil end ! 

Yet she 's so innocent, that it half smites me /^ 

To take my part in plotting 'gainst her virtue. N 

But we must choose 'twixt serving God and Prince ; ^ 
It is not easy serving both together. 

[Exit, 



62 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [ActIL 



Scene V. — The Same. 

A public square: people going and coming; some masJced, some 
dancing, or engaged in sports, etc., celebrating the marriage 
of the Fri:sce Regent with the Archduchess Jeanne, of 
Austria. Enter two tradesmen, in masks, who stop and talk. 

1st tradesman. 
"Well, these are merry times for love and trade : 
'T is long since Florence saw the like o' this ! 

2d tradesman. 
Make merry while the court shines ! 

1st tradesman. 

That I have ; 
And that will I ; with fortune's wheel new greased 
From fat of royal pleasures. 

2d tradesman. 

So will I ! 
And grease my pockets, too, 'gainst dearth of fun : 
To speak the truth, they 've long been lean and lank. 

1st tradesman. 
Ah me ! it takes all sorts to make a world. 



Scene v.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 63 

2d tradesman. 
Such jackanapes as these poor fools, who dance 
To their own folly, have, I do believe, 
As many lives as serpents, or as cats — 
"Which, having nothing of them left but tail, 
"Will play their pranks with that. 

1st tradesman. 

Let us play too ! 
This stirring tickles even my staid shins. 
Come ! sing for me, and I for thee Avill dance. 
"V\^ith conscience light, the head may be light too ; 
"We are the benefactors of this fun. 
That is, we and the court ; both serve one end ; 
The court by giving helps, — by taking, we ; 
That has its own share in the merriment, 
And we 've our right to share it. Under mask 
The court can play its tricks ; so then can we, 
And nothing lose of our position, either. 

2d tradesman. 
You '11 take position, dancing — with your toes. 

1st tradesman. 
"We, who receive all day, may give, at night, 
At least a chuckle to the general laughter : 
Come, haste thee, tune that windy throat of thine ! 
[2d Tradesman sings while the other dances, and people 

gather round to see. 



64 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act II. 

2d tradesman. 

We take all day, 

And give away 
The night to fun and folly / 

But make all 'pay, 

Both work and play, 
If sober or if jolly. 

All day we cheat ; 

At night we meet, 
And then we cheat each other ; 

No cheating done. 

There were no fun ; 
All else is empty hother. 

Then dance with fools! 

They are the tools 
We work, their purses draining ! 

Let mirth amuse ; 

They 'U faster lose. 
And their loss is our gaining. 

Enter a Harlequin fantastically dressed, who joins the dance. 

Live, princes I live I 

Tlie gold you give. 
Our pockets fast are taking ; 

Francesco's hride 

Long live, his pride. 
Each heir new fortunes making. 



Scene v.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. Qb 

1st tradesman. 

[To Harlequin. 

Begone, clown ! how clar'st meddle with our sport ! 
Hast thou no manners ? 

HARLEQUIN. 

Manners ! what are they ? 

1st TRADES3IAN. 

I '11 teach thee, fool ! 

[Kicking him, 

HARLEQUIN. 

If that 's what ye call manners, 

I never learned 'em, or I 'd pay you back 

As mannerly as you my lesson gave — 

Which I must practice on. 

[Tries to hich 1st Tradesman, who trijjs him in the act^ 
and he falls sprawling on the ground. 

1st tradesman. 

You missed your lesson ; 
You 're a dull scholar ; try again. 

[Clown jumjjs up, rubbing himself and laughing with the 



rest. 



Enter a Musician playing a dancing tune. 

HARLEQUIN. 

I '11 try 
The dancing lesson which one of my cloth - 
5 



66 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act U. 

Who never studied manners — gave to me : 
He said that I was apt at any trick, 
Not a dull scholar. 

1st tradesman. 
Then put down your foot 
To prove it, and I '11 teach you manners gratis. 

\_Fool dances fantastically. 

HARLEQUIN. 

There, Master Manners, beat that, if you can ! 

1st tradesman. 
I 'd rather beat you ! 

HARLEQUIN. 

Is that manners, too ? 

1st tradi;sman. 
Manners ? You want another lesson, clown ! 
Then strij) that tiger's skin from off your back ! 

[Approaching, as to strihe him. 

HARLEQUIN. 

{^Defiantly, protected by the crowd. 
Hold on ! blaspheme not so my festal-coat ! 
Know that I wear it as the favorite son 
Among a good round dozen of my father ; 
And never honest son had better father, 
As never honest father better son. 



Scene v.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 67 

2d tradesman. 

[To his fellow. 

Come, we 've played long enough the fool ; away ! 

[ Going. 

1st TRADESIHAN. 

You mean we 've long enough been played by fools. 

[Folloicing. 

HARLEQUIN. 

[^Crying after them. 
You both mean that you Ve been enough befooled. 



MUSICIAN. 

[Running after Tradesmen. 



Please, sirs, my pay. 



1st TRADESMAN. 

Go to the devil's bank ! 

HARLEQUIN. 

If I 'm the devil's bank, they 're mountebanks ! 
All other banks do give, as well as take : 

\To Musician. 

Here, man, take this, and oil thy instrument. 

\^Gives Mm money. 
Fat faces and lean pockets go together. 
And pockets fet with faces lean and lank : 
For my part, I had rather fatten, giving. 
Than to get lean in carrying others' fat ; 
And better is it to feast worms at last 
Than thankless heirs, and feed the crows with bones. 
[Exeunt, all following the Harlequin. 



ACT m. 




Scene I. — The Same. 

Moonlifjht ; garden of Bianca's palace; in the centre a fountain 
with shrubbery and floioers aroimd it; seats here and there. 
On one side is seen the palace, with a terrace hading from a 
window by steps into the garden. In front is a large gate, 
and in the rear a small one. BiANCA appears on the terrace^ 
dressed in ichite, looking up to the moon. 



Celestial Dian ! were I pure as thou. 

Sleep might descend as balmily on me 

As on thine own Endymion, when thy smile 

Lay on him, the bright spirit of his dreams ; 

But now thine eye on me is set so sharply 

That through the lids of mine, which fain would close, 

It pierces, lancing shame into my breast. 

I will descend, nor longer strive to face 

Thine argent arrows, which seem ever pointed 

Right at my heart. 

, ^Descends into the garden. 

Fresh dew, thou bath'st my feet, 
As holy tears dropt on them from above ; 
Perhaps my angel-mother drops her tear 
Among the rest — the purest gem of all. 
Sweet little flowers ! ye hide your- modest eyes ; 



72 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

But I can smell the perfume of your breath — 

Pure mcense, rismg as unspoken j^rayers. 

And shall I breathe no prayer to blend with yours ? 

Perchance prayer would exorcise from my bed 

The fiends Remorse and Dread, whose venomed 

stings 
Have driven me out into the cooling night: 
Yes, I will kneel beside this crystal fount, 
And pray once more as I in childhood prayed. 

\_Goes to hneel, iclien the small gate opens softly and Fran- 
cesco enters, lorapt in a mantle. She starts up alarmed^ 
when he throws off his disguise and runs to her, supptort- 
ing her in his arms. 

PEINCE. 

Sweetest Bianca, fear not thus thy friend ! 

I only crept — as I have done each night 

Since thou cam'st here — to breathe before thy gate 

A prayer for blessings on thee ere I slept ; 

When, through still midnight, tremblingly I heard 

A nightingale, whose pensive music stole 

Into my heart as Love's own melody. 

How could I then resist ? Instinctively 

This hand from out my bosom plucked a key, 

And, ere I knew it, thus to me had oped 

The gate of Eden, where thou art the Eve. 

BIANCA. 

Then be not, Prince, the serpent to beguile 
My ear with flattery while my husband sleeps. 

\_Withdraioing from him. 

Oh, leave me ! leave me ! 



Scene I.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 73 

PRINCE. 

Canst thou banish me ? 
Have I not long enough been exiled, then, 
By austere Fate, which binds me now to one 
Whom I can only honor as a wife. 
While all my heart-strings tie me unto thee ? 
Pity thy prince, Bianca ! 

BIANCA. 

Pity, Prince, 
The frail thing, that, with favors overborne. 
Bends like a reed weighed down, which strives to hold 
Itself up, from pollution in the mire ! 
Ay, pity your Bianca ! 



[Seizing her hand. 
Speak again ! 
Oh 't was a sweet sound, your Bianca ! Yes, 
Thou art my own, and I will jDity thee — 
Ay, love thee, more than I do love myself; 
And wouldst thou only give me in return 
One drop from the rich bounty of thy love, 
'T would fall as balm upon a wounded heart, 
And not impoverish thine. 

BIANCA. 

Ah ! would not mine 
Be poorer then in virtue, and in peace, 



74 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

For giving yours unlawfully the love 
Which it hath sworn another ? 



PEINCE. 

No! Oh no! 
Believe it not ! Thou didst forswear thyself 
In that oath, null and void by nature's law ; 
Look not incensed ! Nay, had Pietro's love 
Been noble, it had weighed against thy birth ; 
But, selling thee ignobly, it hath proved 
True to its parentage. 

BIANCA. 

Alas, 't is so ! 
And wherein would your love prove nobler, Prince, 
Save that you are the buyer, he the seller ? 
And if the poor toy, now so coveted, 
When gained should only weary royal hands, 
Then, thrown aside with other cast-off toys, 
What would its value be ? 

PKINCE. 

Ah, wrong me not ! 
I swear, Bianca, by my hopeful crown, 
That if we two are ever free from bonds, 
I'll prove to thee that love is not caprice — 
That mine is seed deep-planted in the heart, 
Which will require a lifetime's growth to fill 
The measure of its greatness. 



Scene L] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 75 

BLVNCA. 

Cheat not, Prince, 
Your royal self, nor try in vain to cheat 
A woman who was never born to prove 
The easy dupe even of a monarch's vow. 

PRINCE. 

Bianca, hear ! not by yon changeful moon. 

But by those steadfast stars, I swear again, 

If thou wilt love me, and Heaven crowns our love 

With its kind smile, through opportunity. 

Thou shalt adorn, in wedlock by my side, 

A ducal throne ! 

BIANCA. 

Prince, pray, pray leave me now ! 

PRINCE. 

I will obey, if, as true woman, thou 
Wilt promise to obey what thy heart bids 
When I am gone. 

BIANCA. 

Thus much I promise. Prince. 



While the dear vow is warm upon those lips. 
Let me put love's own seal upon it — thus : 

[^Kisses her. 
Now go ; dews bathe in fresher bloom the flowers, 



76 BIAXCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

And stars grow brighter watching ; starry eyes 
Dim with late hours, and night airs steal from beauty 
The balmy freshness of the new-blown rose : 
Leave vigils to the planets ; these cold damps 
To the night-blooming vines ; thyself to me. 

[Presses her to him; going. 
Love's choicest angels watch and keej) thee safe, 
Each in the ajjple of such eyes as languish — 
Ay, in its very core ! 

BIANCA. 

Heaven keep my Prince ! 

\Exit Francesco hy the small gate. Bianca stands a mo- 
ment looking after him, then advances a few xiaces and 

StOJJS. 

Who sent him here to wither on my lips 

Prayer in the bud ? to kill its very root 

With noxious dews of an unholy love ? 

Am I the same I was an hour ago ? 

What ails me ? something strange within I feel. 

Who knows what this will breed ? the loss of fortune 

May gender fortune that will laugh to scorn 

What mocked us once, and taunted our downfall. 

[Walks silently a moment, then stops with exultant air. 
To bring my lordly uncle to my feet ; 
To have my father kiss my hand in pride ; 
To see his tall, imperious wife stand back, 
And wait my leave t' advance her stateliness ; 



Scene!.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 77 

I could resign all pure delights of earth — 

Yea, forfeit heaven, for such a victory ! 

But stop, 1 rave ! this quickening hope within 

Hath made me dream impossibilities. 

I had forgot, that 'twixt the thought conceived 

And its full growth and birth, a barrier 

Stands up, steel-clad, and strong as Death in armor. 

{^Pauses a moment. 
True, once a shepherd-boy forsook his flocks. 
To vanquish with a sling a giant armed. 
More terrible than Death : and feeble woman 
May prove too strong to shrink back from the 

monster. 
If I gain all, and lose at last myself. 
Which is to blame — my destiny, or /? 
Fate seems to choose from out the common herd 
The strongest for her own, and push them on 
With a resistless force to certain ends : 
Their haps and their mishaps all tend one way, 
And when they seem the farthest from success. 
Perchance they are the nearest : when most near, 
For general good or ill, used and thrown by : 
They only hang above the yawning gulf 
Where Fate will hurl them to a sudden end : 
Oft in her hand they are but instruments. 
Themselves as nothing — what their wits work, 

much! 

[ Walks and stops: 
I now remember, when I was a child, 



78 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

An old hag, dingy as her art was black, 

Who hailed me as one born to wear a crown : 

These creatures are Fate's prophets, I believe, 

And though the devil is himself a liar, 

He makes them speak the truth : I '11 trust to this. 

To princely vows, and to that regal will. 

Which Nature gave me for great purposes. 

High hopes ! breathe into me henceforth new life : 

To towering minds ye 're instinct, air, and food ! 

[Exit, mounting the steps to the terrace. 



Scene n.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 79 



Scene II. — The Same, 

Street before Bianca's palace. Enter two Citizens from opposite 
directions. 

1st citizen. 
Good day, friend ! what 's tlie news ? 

2d citizen. 

Right royal news I 
The Pope has crowned our Cosimo Grand Duke. 

1st citizen. 
That 's what he went to Rome for ! 

2d citizen. 

But know you 
What he 's returned for ? 

1st citizen. 

Why, perchance to take 
The reins back from the Prince, and guide himself 
The royal coursers. 

2d citizen. 
Love forbid such change ! 



80 BIANCA CAP PEL LO. [Act III. 

No : Cosimo best likes his titles emjDty ; 
For liim they are bell-metal, and resound 
The louder, having only tongues to ring 
Their glory to the kingdoms round about; 
His chief care is to have no care at all, 
Save the sweet care of loving. 

1st citizen. 

What 's in the wind ? 

2d citizen. 
A stately ship, with masts just newly rigged, 
And gallant topsails hoisted, steering straight 
For shallow water toward a harbor mean. 
Where suddenly the keel is grounded fast. 

1st citizen. 
I 'm no interpreter of parables — 
Speak plainly, man ! 

2d citizen. 

Well then, our sovereign comes 
Gayly from Eome, topsailed with ducal crown, 
And steers right into such a mean alliance 
As marriage with his low-born mistress.^ She 
Takes two steps up : the first makes her a mother ; 

1 Camilla Martelli, second wife of Cosimo, was the grand- 
daughter of a shoemaker. A title of nobility was given to her 
father, and some of his descendants are now of the noblesse of 
Florence. 



Scene IL] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 81 

The second, wife of the Grand Duke, forsooth, 
Thus to legitimize the new-born princess. 

1st citizen. 
What says the Pope to that ? 

2d citizen. 

His license did it : 
Our Duke, confessing to the holy father, 
A pardon bought, and with it right of marriage ; 
So, after all, his title was not void, — 
It held a wife and child. 

1st citizen. 

What says the Prince ? 

2d citizen. 
What say the Cardinal and the Archduchess ? 
The Prince has naught to say ; 't is he can laugh 
In secret over such a meek example 
As filial love — backed by some warmer love — 
One day may copy. 

1st citizen. 

But, the Cardinal? 

2d citizen. 
His sacred robes can not swell big enough 
To hold the fullness of his holy wrath ; 
Nor lonoj enouojh 's the train of the Archduchess 



82 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

To pin her several griefs to, with this added — 
Poor royal lady ! 

1st citizen. 
Yes : she 's poor indeed ! 
And Austrian pride, they say, bleeds more when hurt 
Than Austrian love : we all do pity her ; 
Though pity 's but skin-deep, when not entwined 
Round something which the heart holds : this good 

lady 
Too cold and formal is, it seems, to suit 
Our hot Italian blood. 

2d citizen. 

That 's not her fault ; 
Nor Nature's, even ; but a colder climate's : 
And love, you know, begets love, and can teach 
The art of pleasing, more than courtly rules. 

1st citizen. 
Pity that this Venetian sorceress 
Bewitched our Prince so, ere his luckless marriage ! 
See ! here 's the fine cage that he keeps her in, — 
Or, where she keeps him. ' 

[Pointing to Bianca's _pa?ac«. 

2d citizen. 

"While the good Archduchess 
Pines in her palace-prison all alone : 
Well, well, and so, alas, the great world wags ! 



Scene II.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 83 

1st citizen. 
This new-made Duchess and Bianca seem, 
Through love or cunning, to be close-knit friends. 

2d citizen. 
Not the same feather either : both fly high, 
But one 's an eagle, and the other hawk. 



1st citizen. 



Which is the eagle ? 



2d citizen. 

The Venetian, surely : 
And she will build her nest so high one day, 
That mountain-winds shall tear it. 

^ 1st citizen. 

But the other 
Hath made already a crown-bird her prey. 

2d citizen. 
And, hawk-like, is intent upon her prey : 
The other, a true eagle, soars for power, 
And preys to feed it. 

1st citizen. 
Why fly they together ? 



84 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IIL 

2d citizen. 
Ah, paving-stones have ears ! ^ we 've talked too loud, 
And I, at least, too plain. 

1st citizen. 

Too long, you mean ; 
So now, adieu ! 

2d citizen. 
Give secrets iron locks ! 

1st citizen. 
You '11 hold the keys? 

2d citizen. 

And you your tongue. Adieu ! 

[Exeunt severally. 

j 1 It is said that Bianca cultivated an intimacy with Cosimo's 
\ wife, so as to get access to the Grand Duke's laboratory and learn 
his secret of making poisons. 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 85 



Scene III. — The Same. 

Chamber in the royal palace. Daybreak ; a light just expiring 
on a table covered tvith bool'S and papers. Cardinal Ferdi- 
NANDO seen alone, walking the floor impetuously. 

CARDINAL. 

Sleep is for dotards ! Fools and infants crawl 
Lolling to Morpheus, whose soft arms I shun ; 
"Why should the strong man, armed with his own 

will, 
Ask patronage of a mere nursery-god ? 

[ The cock crows. 

Hark, there 's the cock ! he is the watcher's friend, 
The sluggard's foe, and sleep's dread monitor ! 
The sun and I together must begin 
To-day our tiresome journeys. 

[Opens a door and calls Giovanni. 
He comes not : 
Sleep hugs the hireling — as fond mothers press 
Their idiot-children closest. 

[Calls again. 
Enter Giovanni. 

GIOVANNI. 

"What, your Grace ? 



86 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

CARDINAL. 

Thou sleep'st too well, boy ! 

GIOVANNI. 

[Rubbing his eyes. 
'Tis your Grace sleeps ill : 
It seems a moraent only that I 've slept, 
And if too well — your Grace will pardon me — 
I know not what that means. 

CARDINAL. 

Nor can I teach 
What I ne'er learned myself. 

GIOVANNI. 

Sleep sound is well : 
To sleep too well then, must be to sleep ill ; 
And that your Grace can better do than I. 

CARDINAL. 

Thy tongue wags, boy ! 

GIOVANNI. 

How shall I serve your Grace ? 

CARDINAL. 

At sunrise have all ready to be off : 
The horses — are they saddled ? 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 87 

GIOVANNI. 

Yes, your Grace ; 
I heard hoofs clatter in the court below ; 
All your effects were ready ere I slept. 

CARDINAL. 

See if her Highness' maid, Anne, is awake, 
And pray her to come here. 

GIOVANNI. 

I 'm sure she is. 

[Exit GlOVANMI. 
CARDINAL. 

And sure am I that if the maid still sleeps, 
Her mistress wakes and watches for the sun. 

Enter Anne. 

ANNE. 

Giovanni called me ; can I serve your Grace ? 

CARDINAL. 

I leave the city ere her Highness wakes : 
Present my homage to her. 

ANNE. 

Would your Grace 

In person render it ? my lady waits 
Already in her chamber. 



«8 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

CARDINAL. 

Does she rise 
At break of day ? and if so, at what hour 
Ketires her Highness ? 

ANNE. 

Ah, Heaven knows that best ! 
I left her yesternight at twelve, as bid, — 
Else I had gladly waited there all night, — 
And dozed as best I could, between her sighs, 
Which each one pierced the thick partition wall 
That separates her chamber from my own, — 
Then reached and ran my poor heart through and 

through. 
At dawn she slowly paced the corridor ; 
I quickly sought her presence — 

CARDINAL. 

How fared she ? 

ANNE. 

Alas ! I did not ask her how she fared, 

And less how she had slept ; — her eyes swelled 

out. 
Red as hot iron, branded in my heart 
The news of her ill fare. 

CARDINAL. 

Can I see her ? 



ScEXElIL] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 89 

ANNE. 

I '11 go and ask. 

[Exit Anne. 

CARDINAL. 

Too well I knew 't was so ! 
The farce of power she plays makes harder still 
Her powerless part behind the gilded scenes ; 
The crown to her will be a crown of thorns. 
Fortune, who calls thee cruel is a fool ! 
Thou art a loon, with not enough of sense 
To claim so proud an epithet as cruel ; 
Else why abase such inborn queenliness, 
And from the way-side raise a flaunting weed 
Whose odor doth offend the courtly air ? 
My heart scarce knows which to abhor the most, 
A father's open shame, ignobly wedded, — 
Or brother's half-masked infamy, which wrongs 
A royal princess, pampering a minion ! 

Reenter Anne. 



Her Highness waits youi' Grace. 

CARDINAL. 

Lead on then, Anne. 
\^Exeunt. 



90 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 



Scene IV. — The Same. 

Private apartment of the Archduchess Jeanne, wJw is seen 
seated alone, leaning pi^^sively on her hand; she rises and 
opens the casement. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[LooTcing out toward mountain's seen in the distance. 
Come, morning air, fresh scented with the spring, 
And fan my throbbing temples ! cool these lips. 
Heated and parched through feverous restlessness. 
Far Apennines ! I envy your blue peaks, 
Which listening seem at morning's golden gate 
Unto the matins of yon peaceful heaven : 
When shall this soul, with earthly discords torn, 
Be healed and gladdened by those harmonies ? 
Oh, 't is so long since gladness thrilled its chords, 
That such a shock might break them ! 

[Turns from the window. 
God preserve 
The seed of joy maternal which I hold ! 
Then will this keen heart-travail, and new pangs 
Its birth shall teach me, be at once forgot 
In the first soul-leap of a mother's bliss. 
And who can tell ? my husband then may love me, 
When on my bosom he shall mirrored see 



ScekeIV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 91 

^ The little likeness of his royal self. 
k: I '11 pluck new heart and hope from such a chance, 
I And hence eat, sleep, and smile, for its dear sake : 
/ Heaven help my tardy vow ! 

Enter Anne, followed by the Cardinal. 

Good morning, Prince, 
And welcome here ! 

CARDINAL. 

How fares your Royal Highness ? 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Oh, better now ! this morning breeze is medicine, 
And cordial too : how is my royal brother ? 
Methinks less calm than I. 

CARDINAL. 

It seems so, Princess : 
But I shall leave more quiet, now your face 
Shows hope as victor coming on griefs track : 
May I partake this joy ? 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

No, brother, no — 
You can not, unless first a woman made : 
"Women have anguish such as men know not ; 
So have we hidden springs, which yield us joy 
Such as stern manhood never can partake. 
But why so early, Prince ? 



92 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

CAKDINAL. 

To take my leave. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

What does this mean? your Grace leaves not the 

court ? 
Does any new disaster call you hence 
To other parts ? 

CARDINAL. 

What new thing could transpire, 
To equal what already plagues our court ? 
Madame, I cannot face a father's shame, 
A brother's infamy, a princess' wrongs, 
As would become a man ; I must away — 
I leave at once for Rome. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Take patience, Prince, 
And blessings go with you ! 

CARDINAL. 

[Kissing her hand. 

And stay with you ! 

[Exit Cardinal. 
Anne shows out the Cardinal and returns. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

My good Anne, know'st thou if my lord has risen ? 
Go ask for me his royal presence here ; 
And cheer up, girl ! 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 93 

ANNE. 

My lady, I just heard 
Prince Ferdinando, leaving, ask the same 
Of your first gentleman, 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

What answered he ? 



That the Prince Regent had not yet returned 
From the Cappello palace. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

That 's ill news ! 
I would I had not heard it on this morn. 
When Heaven had seemed anew to smile on me, 
And I to catch that ray with gladdened heart — 
Alas ! as infants with their glad hands catch 
At sunbeams, and then find they nothing hold ! 
Why didst thou tell me, girl ? 



*T was in my heart, 
And so came out at my mouth's unlocked door, 
As something hard to keep in : pardon, Madam ! 
God knows that when I so your Highness gi'ieve, 
I grieve myself more. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Yes, I know that too ; 



94 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act III. 

The heart from its abundance needs must speak : 
Thy word was but the keen point lancing out 
From a sword j^iercing thee : I do forgive 
Its sharpness, my good Anne. 

[Gives her hand, which Anne hisses. 



My angel-mistress ! 

[ Weeps. 
"Woe 's me ! you smile no more, except a tear 
Wash out the smile as if it were a stain ; 
Could I but see again that smile of youth ! 
It haunts me like a spectre of dead joy — 
"Would it were yet alive ! 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

So shalt thou see it, 
The day I hear thee laugh o'er my new prince. 



God bring such day 



ARCHDUCHESS. 

Amen, good Anne, to that ! 

{^Exeunt. 




ACT lY. 




Scene I. — The Same, 



Royal cabinet. Pkince Regent and Sekguidi in conversation. 



Pest tal^e the fellow ! art thou sure, Serguidi, 
That all these things are true ? 



serguidi. 

Ay, Prince, too sure : 
The town hath long rung with his shameless vaunts : 
'T is not enough for his o'erfed imiDortance 
To raise his comb and strut as cock o' the walk, — 
He must keep crowing out his consequence. 
I would, Prince, that his saucy neck were wrung 
And he served up in broth to feed sick women ; 
The cause of heart-aches then would prove their 
cure. 

PKINCE. 

Such broth might suit some other maladies ! 
Serguidi, that sharp head of thine 's a wedge 
Which straight into the knottiest questions drives. 
Splitting our difficulties at a blow. 
Thou hast a far sight, too ; Pietro 's come 
7 



•98 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 

To just what thy fore-wit did say he would ; 
Bethink'st thee of our talk ? 

SEEGUIDI. 

Well do I, Prince : 
But vanity, like every other fever, 
Must have its crisis ; his hath w^ell-nigh reached it ; 
Life, or death, follows : death gives life sometimes, 
At least new life to love. 

PRINCE. 

And kills love too : 
This lady, whom the fellow's eyes have drawn 
Into a net of discord with her ftither. 
Might find our heart-ease broth, to her, a poison. 

SEKGUIDI. 

Women have antidotes against such poisons : 
One love 's the counter-poison of another ;. 
Themselves die not, when dies misplaced affection ; 
They live to be its widows, doubly charming 
For the sweet weeds of widowhood they wear, 
And to place better their affections hence. 
Love is a Hydra ; when one head 's cut off, 
Another grows ; and so on, to the end. 
Your Highness likes not that ? 

PRINCE. 

We better like 
Thy head, when that is longer than thine ears. 



Scene I.] BIANCA CAFPELLO. 99 

SERGUIDI. 

Your Highness thinks, perhaps, I never loved. 

PEINCE. 

The heart loves, not the head — how could he love 
Who never had a heart ? 

\^Walks the Jlooi\ 

SERGUIDI. 

{Aside. 

Ah, he knows not 
That piqued love goads my tongue, — such heartless 

heads 
Serve better headless hearts ! 

{Aloud. 
Prince, there 's more need 
Of head, than heart, at court : were princes all 
Like our most gracious Regent, then the crown 
Would hold itself enough of love for all. 

Enter an Usher. 

PRINCE. 

Who is without ? 

USHER. 

Count Ricci waits, your Highness. 

PRINCE. 

He need no longer wait ; go bid him enter. 

[Usher brings in Ricci, toho enters rajndly. 

What tempest hurries so your sails, my lord ? 



100 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV 

RICCI. 

Your Highness will this strange disorder pardon, 
And I will tell my errand. 



Speak out, then. ' 

KICCI. 

Pietro — bold seducer of my daughter — 

Hath bolder grown, Prince, through long tolerance ; 

So as not only to insult her father — 

Your Highness' noble and most loyal subject — 

But, with implacable audacity, 

Assails me in the street ; and yester-night 

He swore, upon a weapon at my throat, 

To spill my blood if I opposed my child 

In her ill-mated passion. 

PEINCE. 

The fiends take him ! 

[ WalTis rapidly the room. 

SERGUIDI. 

Prince, 't is the time for action, not for passion ; 
Your Highness will no longer see unpunished 
This coxcomb vanity, grown mutinous ; 
Beginning thus, in its attack on nobles, 
Its end will not aim lower than the crown. 

[Prince continues walking in silence. 



Scene I.] 



BIANCA CAFPELLO. 10] 



SERGUIDI. 

[Approaching Eicci and speaUng low. 
The iron 's hot ; now bend it to thy will. 

KICCI. 

[AjjproacMng the Prince. 

I pray your Highness give me leave to punish 
With my own hand the assassin of my peace ; 
The spoiler of my house ; the libeler 
Of royal bounty. 

PRINCE. 

[Stopping suddenly before Ricci. 
We can't give so much : 
But only leave to rule and guide thyself 
And thine own actions for a single day. 
To-morrow to the country we retire ; 
And if, like Phaeton, who dared to take 
The reins from Phoebus, thou dost fall thyself. 
Upon thy skirts, not ours, be thine own blood : 
We wash our hands here from all purple stains. 

[Goes out precipitately. 

SERGUIDI. 

[To Ricci. 
I think, together, we can guide the steeds, 
Nor be ourselves the Phaetons to fall ; 
Brains rasher than our own must take that fate. 

[Exeunt. 



102 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 



Scene 11. — Night. 

Open space in front of a bridge crossing the Arno. A palace seen 
on the 7-ight, and a marble pillar near it. Enter from the 
bridge Count Ricci and Seeguidi, with one servant: they 
stop near the palace, looking cautiously around. 

EICCI. 

[Pointing to the palace. 
Here is my daughter's dwelling : two hours since 
I saw Pietro enter ; I can smell 
The villain far oiF, as a lion scents 
The thief who steals into his forest realm 
For booty, and becomes himself the prey. 
He 's seized his booty, now the prey is ours ! 
We '11 go behind this pillar. 

SERGUIDI. 

Hark, the clock ! 

[Midnight sounds, 

EICCI. 

It is the usual hour of his departing : 

How oft I 've lain in wait, while heaved my breast 

Like a volcano, with the wrath it held 

Yet dared not vent upon the Prince's minion ! 



Scene II.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 103 

SERGUIDI. 

It is the hour by which rogues keejD their reckonings ; 
The hour that hath more vows of lovers swallowed, 
Drunk in more death - sighs, and tolled out more 

knells, 
Than all the twenty-four. 

KICCI. 

Take thy last kiss, 
Rash youth, and welcome — we '11 not grudge thee 

that ! 
Be it love's nectar, the draught deep and long. 
Drink it, inebriate, even to the dregs, 
And them we '11 give thee I Hist ! I think he 

comes — 
Seize ! — hold him fast ; but leave the blow for me ! 

[PlETRO BuoNAVENTURi comes out of the jjalace ; they rush 
upon him; a scuffle ensues, and he falls — crying out — 
stabbed to the heart. The murderers escajie as Guards 
enter. 



104 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 



Scene III. — Near Florence. 

A lawn in front of the royal villa, at PratoUno. Mountain 
scenery in the distance. Francesco oju^ Bianca see« ^valh- 
ing together, the latter looking sad. 

PKLNCE. 

[Stopping and taking tenderly Bianca's hand. 
Look up, Bianca — breathe this mountain air ! 
Why dost thou droop where everything around 
Seems stirring to the kisses of the breeze, 
And reveling in sweet consciousness of bliss ? 
This separation of our loves from court. 
This sympathy with nature's fresher joy. 
Makes me feel more than prince — a simple man, 
With heart akin to natural delights — 
Myself a loyal subject of earth's realm. 
Thy pensiveness is here inopportune ; 
Wert thou but gayer, this to me would be 
The day of all love's days the happiest. 

bianca. 
Why, Prince, so joyous ? Is there nothing more 
Than nature's presence which creates such change ? 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 105 

PRINCE. 

Have I not thee, too ? thou, whose coming makes 
Nature exult, as a fond mother, when 
Her favorite child, just sprung to womanhood. 
Steps out before her decked in full-blown charms. 
Earth seems to bound with joy at thy light touch ; 
The sky to smile serenely its content, 
And every flower to tremble with delight. 
In offering thee the incense of its sweets ; 
What want I more, when Nature joins my praise 
Of her completes t work ? 

BIANCA. 

[LooJcing up fondly in his face. 

There 's something more. 
Which fills my Prince anew with glad content : 
Now tell me all. 

PRINCE. 

[Kissing her forehead. 
There is a crowning joy ! 
My Princess Jeanne doth promise me an heir : 
But thou turn'st pale ! 

BIANCA. 

Pale ! 't is excess of joy 
At your new happiness. 



That's like thyself! 
I only wanted thy dear smile, to put 
The jewel in my crown — 



106 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 

BIANCA. 

[Assuming gayety. 

And wear it proudly ! 
Enter hastily a Court Messenger ; they start forward alarmed. 

PRINCE. 

\To the Messenger. 

What news on sudden brings thee from the court ? 

MESSENGER. 

The bloodiest news, Prince ! 

PRINCE. 

Pour it quickly, then. 

MESSENGER. 

[Loohing at Bianca. 
Your Highness sees the lady well-nigh fliints — 

BIANCA. 

[Ti'ying to stand, supported hy Francesco. 
Regard not me — obey at once thy Prince ! 

MESSENGER. 

Your Highness' gentleman — 

BIANCA. 

Pietro 's dead ! 
[Falls fainting into the Prince's arms. 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 107 

PEINCE. 

[To Messenger. 
Out on thee, villain ! thou hast struck a heart 
Worth fifty of his lives ! 

MESSENGER. 

[Eun7iing for help. 

Holloa there — help ! 

Enter Guards and Women, who hear o/'Bianca, the Pkince fol- 
lowing. 



108 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 



Scene IV. — Florence. 

Royal cabinet. Prince Regent Siting alone, reading a letter 
from the Archduchess Jeanne. 

PRINCE. 

[Starting up excitedly, crushing the letter in his hands. 
Would she tear out my heart, then bid me live — 
Take that away which stirs life's pulses, love, 
And think to make the heart an instrument, 
Beating mechanically, to keep the time 
Of duty's tasks, of loveless ceremonies ? 
Do I not give her all a princess' right, 
And more of honor, for my lack of love ? 
She swears she loves me ; but no love is hers ; 
For love lives only in its object's joy, 
And would die sooner than to see that marred : 
Hers gives not, but demands the sacrifice — 
Would banish from my sight the day itself, 
And wrap me up in night to sulk with her. 

[ Walks a moment and stops. 

Learn, Jeanne, that love instinctively is free. 
And makes its own nest, as the forest birds 
That shun with broad wing the one built for them 
On garden trees, which grow perforce where planted. 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 109 

Enter the Archduchess. 

[Regarding her sternly. 

Madam, your presence honors me too much. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Would that such honor were delight instead ! 



Suspicion is unworthy of a princess : 
Bold accusation less offends the ear, 
Than sly insinuation. If there lack 
From me a duty, a respect, an honor. 
Which from a husband to a wife belongs, 
I pray you openly to name the omission, 
And the debt owing shall at once be paid. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Does the heart live, then, on what duty yields? 
Does it lack nothing, when all that is given 
Which rigorous honor claims ? The infant born 
Would perish, wrapt in princeliest apparel. 
Upon the softest pillow, if it lacked 
The pearly fountain which its nature craved : 
Love, too, may droop and die in regal state. 
Unfed by that for which its being yearns ; 
The heart has its own food — without it, starves. 

[KneeU. 
Francesco, what I lack is love — give this ! 
If not for my sake, yet to feed the life 



r 



110 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 

Which is a part of thine — which, thus preserved, 

Shall one day give back all thou givest me. 

\Tlie Prince, touched, tries to make her rise, but she clings 

weeping to his Jcnees. 

No ! no ! I will die here, in asking love ; 

Or here receive it, and, with love, new life. 



[Much moved. 
Spare me thy tears, Jeanne, and Heaven spare our 

child ! 
Is not its promise the true pledge of love ? 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[Still kneeling. 
Nay : there 's a truer pledge that I would have : 
Thine oath to banish her who holds the keys 
Which lock me from the fountains of thy breast. 
One word — oh, speak it ! — swallows all my wrongs, 
And floods my being with a real life ! 



[Lifting her up. 

I loved Bianca ere I saw thy face : 
The wrong I did thee was not loving her, 
But wedding thee ; forgive the loveless act ! 
Could the heart banish, as the word can do, 
Her banishment might leave thee its sole queen ; 
But is that banished, which, sent from our sight, 
Stays ever with the unrenouncing heart ? 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. Ill 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[Tur7iing aiomj weeping. 

"Woe 's me, then ! wherefore bring a child to light, 
To join the blood of hearts, themselves unjoined ? 

PRINCE. 

\Aside. 
Fiends, say for me the word my lips refuse ! 
Love, speak it ! — perjure thyself at right's altar, 
And then be damned — as hence my life must be ! 

[Talcing hold of her. 

Stay Jeanne ! stay ! — on the honor of a prince — 
I will — Oh, God ! — yes — I will — banish her ! 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Reluctant vow ! yet bless thee for it, Prince ! 

PRINCE. 

Go, Jeanne, take peace with thee ! 

[Aside. 
Leave me despair ! 



ARCHDUCHESS. 

[Going. 

The peace of righteous deeds remain with thee ! 

[Exit Jeannp:. 

PRINCE. 

[Alone, falling into a seat. 

All manhood's strength has gone forth with that vow : 
I am as weak now as a vanquished purpose. 
Love was my force — that oath has banished love. 



112 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 



Scene V. — Near Florence. 
Room in a convent. Bianca seen sitting moodily alone. 

BIANCA. 

[^Rising up and coming forward. 

So fast stalks Retribution on Crime's heels ? 

My husband murdered — I in banishment; 

Ambition struck when plumed for highest flight; 

And woman's leagued powers vanquished at a blow ! 

Vanquished ? no ! no ! removed to be more felt : 

It is my absence that will teach the Prince 

What power was in my presence. Does he think 

To live without me ? let him, if he can ! 

Poor Jeanne ! she crowns her with a puppet love, 

As children put on paper diadems, 

And play the real, while unreal kings. 

Let her play queen of my Francesco's heart, 

And be as satisfied, a little hour. 

As if her power were actual : all too soon 

She shall behold — what she 's not made to feel — 

That regal love is more supreme than law. 

I can bide calmly in repose my time ; 

Sleep is the rest, and not the death of power. 

[^Solemn music of the nuns heard without. She listens a 

moment. 



Scene v.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 113 

Cheat me not, siren tones, to gentle thouglits ! 
Time was when I might join that vestal hymn, 
Robed in the virgin white of purity ; 
A crimson garment better suits me now, 
And victory's note is what these lips must learn. 

{^Goes to the toindow and looks out. 
And thou, sweet Nature ! Speak not low to me 
Through whispering pines, or moaning cypresses. 
Or murmuring rills, or sighing nightingales ; 
But rather drive me to thy purposes 
With goading tempests, and night-haunting owls. 
Whose horrid screech but hurries daring deeds. 

Enter a Nun bringing her a letter from Francesco, which she 
seizes triumphantly and opens. Exit Nun. 

\^Reads. 
Queen of my heart ! pardon thy repentant subject. 
Soul of my soul ! restore me thyself, and bring back 
life to the languishing — I die without thee ! The 
touch of thy lips can alone absolve mine from per- 
jury : wait not a moment — fly to this bosom, and 
love lend thee wings swift as my thoughts, strong as 
my desires, and true to thy heart's home, as to thee 
is thy Francesco. 

{^Kissing the letter, and putting it in her bosom. 

Ha ! ha ! already ? not so soon I thought 
To hear the trumpet call back to the field. 
Now gathered forces march right on to conquer. 



114 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 

With new-o;ained strens^th new victories achieve ! 
'T is but to lift the crown, now at my feet, 
Up to my head, and bring my foes down there. 

[Going. 
Farewell, calm sanctuary of chaste vows ! 
Farewell, maternal Nature ! gentle tones 
Of breeze, and brook, and bird, farewell ! farewell ! 
Taunt me to action hence, defiant winds ! 
All elements heroic in me join ; 
Yet leave the veil of womanhood o'er all — 
A charm to lure, a net-work to retain : 
Firmness must keep what fondness first shall gain. 

[Exit. 



Scene VI.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 115 



Scene VI. — Florence. 

A street. Enter two Citizens talking. 

1st citizen. 
[StopjJing and looJcing the other in the face. 
Back again ! did you say — and living now at the 
royal palace ? 

2d citizen. 
Ay, and does that surprise you ? Faith ! I should 
be more surprised if it were not so. 

1st citizen. 
Was she never banished, then ? 

2d citizen. 
In sooth she was, and she was not ; that is, she was 
banished in word and deed ; but not in truth. 

1st citizen. 
Then she did not leave ? 

2d citizen. 
She went, without leaving : or, rather, in going, left 



116 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 

herself where she was ; and so, came back to stay 
where she is. 

1st citizen. 
And that is, you are sure, in the royal palace ? 

2d citizen. 
Yes : when such as she go back one step, it is only 
to throw themselves forward two. She has reached 
the place, if not the point, she aimed at before : if 
found out of place, she will know how to prove her- 
self in place, and make good her right and title to it. 
What is usurped now will be conceded anon, and the 
last point gained. 

1st citizen. 
What has she to gain more ? 

2d citizen. 
What were all she has gained, if, through it, all 
were not yet to be gained — or the one thing to 
crown all ? 

1st citizen. 

Long live the Archduchess, to prevent that ! 

2d citizen. 
Weakness, you know, is shorter-lived than strength. 

1st citizen. 
Well — when Wrong puts on Lawlessness the crown, 
May Right bid Liberty put License down. 

[Exeunt. 



Scene VIL] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 117 



Scene VIL — The Same, 

Court in front of the royal palace. A Guard standing by tlu 
grand door 10 ay : enter, from the street, a Cloivn, singing. 



The Grand Duke dead, 

Francesco's head 
Now takes the ducal crown : 

'Tis all the same 

Who '5 dulce, hy name, — 
1 ' m still the royal cloivn. 

Clowns have their tastes 

When red wine wastes 
At royal feasts ; — for, then. 

Our wit must run, 

To crown the fun 
Of kings and noUemen. 

We HI mourn to-day, — 

To-morrow -pay 
For mourning in new mirth ; 

The crowning done. 

There comes fresh fun 
When comes a j^rince's birth. 

[Re approaches the entrance. 



118 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act IV. 

GUARD. 

Have done with such untimely merriment ! 

Dar'st sing, wretch, while they're saying solemn mass 

In yonder church now for the Grand Duke's soul ? 

Hence, fool, begone ! 

\_Levels his weapon. 

CLOWN. 

Begone thyself first ! thou, 
A standing armed post in this outer court. 
Who dar'st assail thy better — I, who have 
A standing joost of honor in the court. 
Fie, post ! stand there against the palace door, 
Whilst I shall enter in, and hold my arms 
Defiant of the braggart arms you hold. 

[Rims2iast Guard into the palace. 

If thou wouldst have a living post, as I, 
And be no more a senseless post, as thou, 
I '11 tickle for thee my new sovereign's ears 
With a fresh jest, and when his laugh cracks nuts, 
Some kernel may have meat in it for thee : 
Shall I, good guard-post ? 



Hold thy knavish tongue ! 

CLOWN. 

If I hold that, thou still must hold thy arms ! 
So, when I go to air my wits in town, 
Present arms next time to the royal clown — 
Not at his head, for brains knock bludgeons down. 

lExit Clown. 



Scene yilL] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 119 



Scene VIII. — Tlie Same. 

Night. Dressing-room of the Akciiduciiess Jeanne. On one 
side, leading out of it, a small oratory, with candles burning vn 
the altar. Enter Jeanne, elegantly dressed, as from a ball, 
accomjyanied by Anne, ivho carries a salver of drinh, etc. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[Seating herself 

Put clown thy salver, Anne, and bring me now 
My dressing-gown — I 'm weary of the day : 
Take oiF these mocking jewels, which have laughed 
At my poor heart, undecked by joy, too long ; 
And leave me then awhile — I will to prayer. 

[Anne brings a goivn and aids her to put it on. 



[Tahing jewels from the Archduchess' hair, 
Courage, dear lady ! brighter days will come. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

Yes, Anne : but then my part will all be played 

In this life-drama wdiich so wearies me, 

Such glittering trumpery all laid aside. 

And from the scene my presence, too, retired. 

But haste thee ! somethino- draws my soul to-night, 



120 BIANCA CAFPELLO. [Act IV. 

With a sweet force I can no more resist, 

To the dear altar where it finds true peace ; 

Prayer flutters in my bosom, as a bird 

That would set free its wings and soar to heaven : 

Leave me a little — then return, good Anne. 

\^Exit Anne; Jeanne goes into her oratory and shuts the 

door. 

Enter Bianca, softly, loith a phial in her hand. 



It is my destiny ! Why then demur ? 
I do what thousands have before me done, 
And, doing it, crowned only their own fate. 
It is the end which sanctifies the means ; 
I shall but send to happiness a soul 
That never could be happy where it is. 
And take a tiresome load of life aw^ay. 
Once I had died at thought of giving death ; 
But outer changes change the inner nature, 
Hard usage teaches to use others hard, 
And living in proximity to evil 
Creates a kinship between us and crime : 
Guilt has become to me the friend in need. 
And I obey wise counsel, doing this. 

\_Goes to the salver and drops some of the liquid Jrom the 

p)hial into the drink. 

Now good night, Jeanne; calm sleep, and be thy 

waking 
Where thou wilt see thy hated foe no more ; 



Scene VIII.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 121 

There dawn thy morning brighter than on earth ; 
Wear thou thy crown in heaven — I '11 wear it here. 

[^Exit. 

Reenter Anne, going to the door of the oratory to listen. 

ANNE. 

She prays as long as if 't were her last jorayer, 
And she were pouring her whole heart at once. 

Reenter Archduchess. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[Seating herself. 
Give me now, Anne, what thou hast there for me : 
I '11 drink it for thy sake ; though I 've grown strong, 
And need it not as ere I went to 23rayer. 
j [Anne gives her the bowl ; she drinJcs and stops. 

There is a calm within me strangely sweet ; 
I do believe that I have left my woes 
All at the altar ; there a load has fallen 
From my o'erburdened heart ; it now feels light 
As if it were all spirit. 

[Drains the bowl and gives it bach to Anne. 



And, dear lady, 
I see, I see again in those sweet eyes 
The very smile which lighted them in youth ; 
Oh, that is what I 've longed to see once more ! 
Now God be thanked ! 



122 BIANCA CAP PE LLC. [Act IV. 

\^Asicle. 
1 'm glad, and yet I weep ! 
There 's something in her flice which touches me 
More than that smile — something I never saw. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[Rising. 
Now to my chamber with me, faithful Anne. 

[Leaninfi on her. 

Know'st thou, I love thee more here than at home ? 
There thou wast only one among my blessings ; 
Here my sole blessing art thou. 



Precious mistress ! 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

[ Walking loith difficulty. 

Oh ! what is this ? I 'm growing strangely weak : 
Hold me up, Anne, haste thee — I would to bed : 
Too much I 've suffered through this tedious day — 
Too much enjoyed, now, at my evening prayer. 



Why, how you tremble ! pray lean more on me ; 
Or let me take you in my arms, dear lady. 

ARCHDUCHESS. 

'T is nothing — I can walk — God bless thee, Anne ! 

[Exeunt. 



ACT Y. 




Scene I. — The Same. 



Royal cabinet. Francesco, now Grand DuTce, in conversation 
with Serguidi. 



FRANCESCO. 

My conscience owes it, and my ghostly father 
Wills it of me, as but to virtue due ; 
And since my heart jumps with the will of Heaven, 
It shall at once be done. 



' T is well resolved — 
A Christian act, one worthy of a saint. 
Conscience and justice could alone demand 
To sanction love's vows with the Church's blessing ; 
And this your Royal Highness promptly did 
"When the Archduchess Jeanne was snatched from 

earth. 
A public recognition of those rights 
Due to a sovereign's wife, and long-tried love. 
Puts on your ducal head a double crown. 
Lifts a high spirit to its natural seat. 
And brings proud Venice to the feet of Florence. 



126 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

FEANCESCO. 

Command a noble envoy to be sent 

Without delay from hence to the Republic, 

Announcing in right royal pomjD our will, 

And naming the glad day of coronation, 

Whose splendor shall make bright the realms around. 

Let heralds, too, be sent to other parts, 

Proclaiming it as far and wide as spreads 

The fame already of the Medici ; 

And send a special messenger to Rome, 

To bid Prince Ferdinando to the feasts ; 

While we take on us the most pleasant part, 

And break the welcome tidings to our spouse. 

l^Going. 

SERGUIDI. 

All shall be done with cheerfulest disj^atch. 

YExit Francesco. 
Was ever wanton's triumj^h more complete ? 
So, will is power — the battle to the strong ! 
Well, martyrs go to heaven through fire and blood ; 
And she, as well, has gained her heaven — the 

throne. 
Poor dotard sovereign ! then thou knewest not 
That 't was Bianca — feigning goodness' voice — 
Who spake to thee through perjured priestly lips ? 
Her crown should have a bloody ruby set 
Amid its gems, the largest one of all, 
To blush forever for its wearer's guilt. 
And tell the world it was the price of blood. 



ScexeL] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 127 

None will susi3ect how clearly it was bought, 

Save I, alone ; and crime, to me, becomes 

Virtue, when based upon so grand a scale. 

Prince Ferdinando 't is who will rebel ; 

Ah, ha, Francesco ! think'st thou he will ffrace 

This coronation ? no ! he 's cardinal. 

And hath not made his labyrinthine way 

Through priesthood's coils, to be entrapped by woman. 

Woe to her and her crown, if he does come, 

And deadlier woe, if, coming, he should smile ! 

The wiliest poisoner may out-poisoned be — 

A match for any Medicis is she ! 

[^Exit. 



128 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 



Scene II. — The Same. 

Throne room. Flourish. Enter Francesco and Bianca, in 
ducal robes and croumed, jjreceded by guards, and followed by 
officers and ladies in waiting, courtiers, etc. The dtical pair 
take their seats on the throne, and the lords and ladies their 
several positions. Serguidi seen on the rigid of the Grand 
Duke. 

francesco. 

[ To an Usher. 

Bid enter now the embassy from Venice. 

{^Usher leads in a brilliant cortege headed &?/ Patriarch 
d'Aquilea and Bartolomeo CArpELLO, loith his wife 
and her son Vittorio. 

Seigniors ! right noble senators ! and all 
Who from the great Republic, greeting, come, 
We bid you welcome to our own domain ! 
With special honor to th' illustrious kin 
Of her who shares our confidence and crown. 



AQUILEA. 

[ Coming forward. 
All hai], majestic sovereign ! hail, fair bride ! — 
The proudest scion of a lordly house — 
To us allied by fondest ties of blood. 

[Kneels. 
Your Highnesses we greet here, in behalf 



Scene II.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 129 

Of grateful Venice — kneeling at your feet ; 
And cordial salutations from her Doge 
Bring, with this gem of true imperial wealth, 

[Presents a magnificent diamond to Bianca. 
A bridal gift, befitting her proclaimed 
Especial daughter of the great Republic, 
For those rare gifts — but equaled by her virtues — 
Which have gained for her proofs of highest favor, 
And sealed her rioht to share a ducal crown. 



[Motioning him to rise. 
I do accept the proud gift of the Doge, 
And all your homage, friends, with liberal thanks. 

[Fkakcesco and Bianca descend from the throne. 

BIANCA. 

[ Jb her father. 
Since Fortune hath to blessing turned thy curse, 
Which once fell on me as a withering blight, 
Revoke it, through paternal benediction, 
Without which, diademed, I 'm still uncrowned. 

CAPPELLO. 

Poor now, my daughter, is thy father's blessing ! 
But, turned to prayer, it may secure thy crown 
Heaven's richer benediction in its stead ; 
Be that thy glory, and thine heritage ! 

\Kisses her hand. 



130 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

BIANCA. 

[To her step-mother. 
Come forward, noble lady, and behold 
The salutation which we give thy son, 
Who called us sister, when thou saidst not daughUr ; 
And whom, as then, we proudly here now call 
Brother — we, daughter now of the Republic ! 

[Embraces YiTTOmo; gives her hand to her imcle; courte- 
sies coldly to Lady Cappello, who abases her head, and 
retires, led by Francesco, and followed by the retinue. 
Flourish. 

SERGUIDI. 

[Alone. 
Out of the same lips cursing comes, and blessing ! 
Have crowns such might then, as turn maledictions 
To benedictions and paternal prayers ? 
Thus Innocence, once cursed for having fallen 
Below its parentage, in lawful love. 
When changed to baseness may in turn be blest, 
If it, in changing, rise above its birth 
And chance to legalize unlawful love. 
Oh, what a great transformer is Position ! 
It makes that, which, being low, was foul and hideous, 
Turn pure and beautiful in rising up : 
So, henceforth, damned be Virtue, if low placed, 
And blest be Crime, if raised to wear a crown. 

[Exit 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 131 



Scene III. — The Same, 

A library. Cardinal Ferdinando in conversation %cith Fra 
FoRTUNATO. Serguidi tnUrs ujiperceived, and conceals him- 
self behind them. 

CARDINAL. 

The evil has become a foul excrescence 
Upon the glory of the crown and state. 

FRA FORTUNATO. 

There is no cure for evils such as these, 
And their removal can alone restore 
Health to the state : our body i^olitic 
Needs now a skillful surgeon. 

CARDINAL. 

Where to find one 
Is, then, the question we must here decide. 

[Pauses. 

SERGUIDI. 

[Aside, 

Here priesthood is a monster with two heads, 
And, as I thought, complotting treachery ! 
But I '11 be privy to it, and compel 



132 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

His Eminence to make me, erst his foe, 

His friend henceforth, through fear, if not through 

love ; . 
Ay, minion, because holder of his secret. 

{^Listens again. 

PEA FOKTUNATO. 

Your Grace knows well that painful operations, 

On which depend alone tlie general good, 

Are never cruel ; nor the hand which works them 

Other than that of a wise benefactor ; 

Service to state is service done to Heaven. 

CARDINAL. 

Then who so fit as Heaven's own ministers 
To do such service ? 

FEA FOKTUNATO. 

None, your Eminence ! 
And when Heaven's sanction strengthens princely 

right, 
That which to others would be even crime. 
Becomes, for righteous ends, the highest virtue. 

CARDINAL. 

But there are deeds that Righteousness approves, 
Wliich common laws unrighteously condemn ; 
For human justice is conventional. 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 133 

ERA FORTUNATO. 

True : so, such deeds must be in secret done. 

CARDINAL. 

What 's done in secret then must be well done, 
And wisest heads need coadjutors too. 

ERA EORTUNATO. 

Your Eminence has only to command. 

CARDINAL. 

Then, listen ! our state-evil is this woman ; 
Her power the excrescence which must be cut off; 
We are the surgeons ; the Church our diploma ; 
God's grace our fee ; our end, to work a cure. 

ERA EORTUNATO. 

If my poor services — whose chief of merit 

Is in devotion to the cause of right — 

Can aid this cure, your Eminence will use them. 

CARDINAL. 

I mean to lie in wait : behold this ring ! 

'T will test the subtlest poison, turning pale 

Through contact, as a jealous wife brought near 

The rival aiming to seduce her spouse : 

I will not eat nor drink till I apply 

To all before me, first, this conscious stone ; 

When its changed color signals treachery 



( 



134 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [ActV. 

I '11 turn the serpent's sting back on herself, 
And thus may free my own skirts from her blood : 
But, if blood must be spilt, to cleanse the state. 
And to atone for crimes in her high places. 
Our priestly office suits such sacrifice : 
Be ready then — just acts meet just rewards. 



FKA FORTUNATO. 

My humble efforts have their recompense 
Serving your Grace, and so the general weal. 
\_Starts back, seeing Serguidi, who discovers 



CARDINAL. 

[ To Serguidi. 
What dost thou here ? how have thy daring steps 
The threshold crossed of sacred privacy ? 

SERGUIDI. 

It matters little when, or how, I came, 
If but my visit hath the honest end 
To serve your Eminence ; for doing which, 
I needed first to understand your plans. 

CARDINAL. 

Knave ! thou wert sent here as the spy of power, 
To which thy craftiness is but too loyal ! 

SERGUIDI. 

Suspicion, I protest, deceives itself : 

But say it rightly speaks ; 't were wise to make 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 135 

A friend perforce of evil luck, and turn 

That to advantao-e which mioht work ao-ainst us : 

O o o 

I hold your secret ; — by consent, or no. 
Boots not, if he who holds hath will to keep 
And mind to serve it. 



FKA FORTUNATO. 

[Regarding Serguidi 
If I dared advise 
Your Eminence, I should in justice say 
That he, who hath served long and faithfully 
One prince's will, may serve as well another. 



CARDINAL. 

Serguidi, to change masters argues change 

Of purpose, too : yet, mark — if in appearance 

Thou dost change only, worse the end for thee ! 

But if thou wilt change truly, and dost prove 

As apt a servant on the side of truth. 

As thou hast proved before on falsehood's side, 

Kight, when in power, shall make thee its fast friend. 

SERGUIDI. 

"What now your Eminence is forced to do 
May be re-done a later day, by choice. 

CARDINAL. 

\_Going out, to Serguidi. 
Await here, thou, until I come again. 



136 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

[7^0 the Monk. 

Adieu ! till thou shalt learn my farther will. 

[Exit Cardinal. 

FEA rORTUNATO. 

[To Seeguidi. 
Here is mj hand — 't is given in honest faith. 

SEEGUIDI. 

[Sarcastically, talcing Ms hand. 

And taken in a faith no less sincere. 

FEA FOETUNATO. 

[Aside, going. 
Make league with devils, when you're in their 
power. 

[Exit. 

SEEGUIDI. 

Oh, what a mockery is this religion ! 
What lying hypocrites its ministers ! 
There goes a wolf so hungry after gain 
That he can lap up blood which others spill ; 
And yet he wears sheep's clothing : so does he 
Who hath emj^loyed him, princely Ferdinand ! 
But the wolf 's in his face ; while this false monk 
Puts on the sheep's look too, and through it serves 
Better the ends for which he is engaofed. 
Bad masters must have servants bad as they. 
Only dressed up in liveries of truth ; 
As Satan must have aids, and can't employ 



Scene III.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 137 

Angels for ministers ; so he takes fiends. 
On fiendish errands angels would be fools, 
Making lies visible in candor's light ; 
While a fiend, borrowing an angel's face, 
Keeps his lies hidden underneath the mask. 
Thank Heaven ! I wear no Church's livery — 
The court's suits well enough my purposes ; 
And this I must maintain for future ends. 
Even at the sacrifice of ancient friends. 



138 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 



Scene IV. — Near Florence. 

Night. Chamber in the royal villa, Poggio a Cajano. Enter 
Giovanni with a salver of wine, etc., which he sets on a table 
and goes out. Enter, soon after, Biakca. 

BIANCA. 

[Looking about her carefully. 
I left him hard at play, and bent on winning ; 
So he will not disturb my own by-play : 
He has dismissed his valet for the night, 
And none will here be scenting out my game. 
Now, Vengeance, come — thou sweet, as terrible ! 
Come execute the sentence, long delayed. 
Of iDitiless justice on this devil's spy ! 
Once 't was ambition turned to steel the nerves 
"Which laced my woman's nature ; then I rose 
On murdered Innocence, my stepping-stone : 
Now, mounted to the apex of desire, 
I Ve naught to gain ; 't is but to keep the seat 
Whence I hurl vengeance on a climbing foe. 

[Drops poison into the ivine. 

Now, Cardinal, play on ! win one more game — 
It is thy last : our lingering game I 've won. 

[Exit. 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 139 

Enter Francesco and Feedinando together. 

CARDINAL. 

Brother, your sovereignty was pressed to-night ; 
But you are used to losing. 

FRANCESCO. 

You to gaining ! 
Now, tell me, did you ever lose a game ? 

CARDINAL. 

Not since I lost a boy's smooth upper lip : 

But you are piqued ! come, drown the grudge in wine. 

\Pours out tioo cups of wine, gives one to the Grand Duke, 
and applies his test ring to the other. Betakes the cup from 
Francesco. 

Stay ! drink it not ! Revenge hath passed this way, 
Breathed on our wine, and turned it into poison ! 

FRANCESCO. 

"What is there in thy dark insinuation ? 
Uncover its black heart ; or, on the jDoint 
Of justice' lance I 'U pluck it, piece by piece ! 

CARDINAL. 

Nay, brother, be not angered ! 't is thy wife 

Whose heart is black with vengeance, and hath mixed 

Its venomous blood with this red wine, for me. 



140 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

FRANCESCO. 

Dost hurl lies at us ? in our proper face 

Dar'st thrust thy malice ? give me back the wine — 

I '11 drink it, and thus prove thee false as hell ! 

CARDINAL. 

Nay, do it not ! 

FRANCESCO. 

Give me the wine, I say ! 

]_Seizes the cup, 

CARDINAL. 

Drink it, then ! at the peril of your throne. 
Your life, your soul, and your wife's damned spirit ! 

[Francesco drinks. 

BIANCA. 

[Rushing wildly in. 
Throw down that cup, as thou dost love thy life ! 

[Dashes the cup from his lips. 

FRANCESCO. 

If death was in the cup, then I am dead — 
For I have drunk it ! 

BIANCA. 

Oh, avenging Heaven ! 
Most cruel when most just ! the wine was poisoned. 
To save thy life and punish a vile traitor. 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 141 

CARDINAL. 

{To BlANCA. 

Then drink it, and be punished ! 

FRANCESCO. 

Rebel, hold ! 
^Ye will not see our Princess outraged thus 
By wrath grown bold in hope of power — begone ! 

{Exit Cardinal. 

BIANCA. 

[Throwing her'self itito her husband's arms. 
Oh, God ! I did it — I, who loved thee so ! 

FRANCESCO. 

'T was Fate who did it — accuse not thyself ! 

[ Growing ill. 

But what is this I feel — can it be death ? 
No, 't is not death — it is my heart-strings tearing ! 
Life's ties may all be severed, throne and state 
Rent from me, yet give no such mortal pang 
As this — this violent parting of our loves ! 

BIANCA. 

Alas ! alas ! and he has loved me thus ! 



FRANCESCO. 

Kiss me, Bianca. 

[She kisses him. 
Oh, that kiss runs through 



142 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

Life's shattered chords, as heaven's electric shock 
Tliroiigh the torn fibres of a tree uprooted ! 
Kiss me again, it mocks me with new life, 
Dead thing as now I am ! But must we part ? 

BIANCA. 

Woe stays with me — thou goest to meet thy joy. 



FRANCESCO. 



Is there existence, then, where thou art not ? 
No ! no ! for me there is no life to come ; 
Thou art my life — I leave my heaven in thee. 

[BiANCA (joes from him and pours out some of the wine. 

BIANCA. 

[Holding up the cup. 
Our loves shall not part — see, Francesco, see ! 
I drink where thou hast drunk — I die with thee. 

FRANCESCO. 

[Trying to reach her, hut falling in the attempt. 

Drink not ; my love shall never kill thee — live ! 

[BiANCA drinks. 

Oh, God, she drinks ! now heart and soul hug close : 

Ye shall not be asunder torn — fear not ! 

[She drains the cup and runs to her husband, supporting his 

head on her bosom. 

BIANCA. 

'T is done ! now sleep thy last sleep on this breast, 
Which hath long pillowed, love, thy fondest dreams. 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 143 

Heaven ! I ask no mercy for myself — 

1 have to others been unmerciful — 
But let this true, sweet spirit pass aneled 

From every contact foul with mine, blood-stained : 
Mercy, forgiveness, j^eace, kind Heaven, for him ! 

FRANCESCO. 

Grant me no mercy, Heaven, which she shares not : 

Else pardon to my spirit were not peace ; 

Nor mercy aught, save most unmerciful. 

If any stain of sin be found on her. 

That stain I own — its punishment be mine ; 

Or, pardoning that, save both souls from its curse ! 

BIANCA. 

Amen ! alas, 't is all crime dares to say ! 

FRANCESCO. 

My lips grow icy — warm them with thy breath — 
The gales of paradise are not so sweet ! 
Oh, joy ! for love there is a life to come ; 
There we shall grow, in loving, young again, 
There will I give thee an unfading crown : 
Cling closer ! do not let me go alone. 
Come — I am going — one more kiss — one more — ■ 

[Dies. 

BIANCA. 

{^Growing ill and rising with difficulty. 
We, who have slept on softest beds, spread o'er 



144 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

With royal purple, must die here as dogs 

Upon the floor, uncared for and unwept. 

'T is fearful, meeting death thus all alone ! 

[Looks about terrified, going towards the corpse, but Jails sud- 
denly on her hiees, fancying she sees the Archduchess 
Jeanne. 

What see I there ? O Jeanne ! spirit good ! 

If greatness be forgiving, pray for me ; 

If gladness can to woe be pitiful. 

Pity me, for remorse is pitiless ! 

I did not hate thee ; frown not so on me — 

I took thy life but to enrich my own. 

[Fancies the vision jJoints to her husband. 

Nay, look not thus ! I did not mean to kill him, 

Yet now I die atoning for the act. 

Turn off that eye — it sinks into my heart 

As cold and heavy as a leaden weight — 

[The vision fades. 

O fiends, torment me not before the time ! 

[Clasjjs her hands in agony, again seeing the vision. 

Smile once on me — forgive, pure shade, forgive ! 

If angels pardon, God may pardon too. 

Enter Cardinal, Feedinando, with Serguidi and Fra For- 

TUNATO. 
CARDINAL. 

[Observing his dead brother. 
Justice is working — let us to its aid ! 
Dead monarch, thou no subject hadst so true 



Scene IV.] BIANCA CAPPELLO. 145 

As thou thyself wast servant unto love ; 

Cold recompense is death for such warm serving. 

[To BiANCA, wlio continues kneeling by the body. 

What ! on thy knees, at last ! those prayers are vain ; 
Blood ne'er was spilt that had such cleansing power 
As to wash princes' blood from thy stained soul ; 
Cease praying then, and turn thee unto dying, 
For thou must drink the cup prepared for me. 

[Pours out wine and offers it to her. 



'T is drunk already : thou hast lost thy victim. 
Turn hate then into mercy, and forgive ! 

CARDINAL. 

Crime's Gorgon head hath turned my heart to stone, 
Nor could compassion's subtlest alchemy 
Change into mercy hatred hard as mine. 

BIANCA. 

Then pardon Heaven ! as I die pardoning thee. 

[Falls on the body of Francesco and dies. 

CARDINAL. 

Justice be thanked, I am no murderer ! 

FRA FORTUNATO. 

Hell opens to receive her soul nnshriven ! 
10 



146 BIANCA CAPPELLO. [Act V. 

CARDINAL. 

Stand ye as witnesses that her own will 
Herself hath punished ; that her dark intent — 
Hurled back — fell, blasting as the bolt of vengeance. 
Heaven-aimed, upon the fortress of her power. 

FRA FORTUNATO. 

So i^erish every enemy of God ! 

SERGUIDI. 

So perish every foe of Ferdinand ! 

CARDINAL. 

[To Serguidi. 
Give thou the charnel-house her dainty body, 
To serve, with felons' flesh, at wormy revels : 
She thought, in dying with her monarch-lover, 
To lie still with him in a royal tomb — 
Lodged in the chapel of the Medici. 
No ! let Francesco sleep there with his spouse, 
While this, his mistress, rots with courtesans. 

[7o Fra Fortunato. 
Come thou with me — we must alarm the house. 
And double confirmation asks such deeds. 

[Exeunt Cardinal and Fra Fortunato. 

THE END. 



